Sunshine Coast police are urging motorists to think before they attend any events with alcohol, after 70 motorists were charged with allegedly drinking and driving on the Sunshine Coast in October.
A police officer may require any persons to provide a specimen of breath if the officer suspects that the person has consumed alcohol within the preceding three hours and is driving a motor vehicle, has driven a motor vehicle, attempts to put in motion a motor vehicle, is in charge of a motor vehicle or is driving or attempting to put in motion a vessel.
In charge of a motor vehicle is defined when the driver is inside their vehicle and has their keys in their pocket or somewhere close to them.
The driver of the vehicle does not necessarily need to be seated in the driver’s seat of the vehicle with the engine on.
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Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) is the terminology police use when talking about the results from a breath test for alcohol.
There are three ranges regarding drink driving offences and these are no alcohol range 0.00 per cent but under 0.05, low-range is over 0.05 and under 0.10, mid-range 0.10 and over but under 0.15, and high-range 0.15 over.
Of the 70 motorists charged with allegedly drinking and driving on the Sunshine Coast in October, more than 16 of the offences were drivers recording a high range of alcohol in their system. The highest blood alcohol concentration recorded was 0.304. This is equivalent to five times over the general alcohol limit.
All mental and physical, and sensory functions are severely impaired.
Drink driving effects on drivers
- Reduces your ability to judge distance and speed.
- Reduces coordination and concentration.
- Blurred vision.
- Dizziness.
- Fatigue.
- Memory loss.
- Nausea.
Road safety is everyone’s responsibility, but that starts with you.
This column is compiled by the Sunshine Coast District Crime Prevention Unit.
If you have information for police, contact Policelink by providing information using the online suspicious activity form 24hrs per day at Queensland Police – Reporting.
Report crime information anonymously via Crime Stoppers. Call 1800 333 000 or report online at Crime Stoppers.