Blood alcohol concentration (BAC) levels –
From Monday 1 December 2014, the alcohol limit for drivers 20 years and over will be lowered.
This change means that drivers 20 years and over must not drive if:
• the amount of alcohol in their blood is more than 50 mg of alcohol per 100 ml of blood
• the amount of alcohol in their breath is more than 250 mcg of alcohol per litre of breath.
For drivers under the age of 20 years, the limit remains at zero.
Drivers who are over 400 micrograms of alcohol per litre of breath, or 80mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood, will continue to face criminal sanctions as is currently the case.
Drivers who fail an evidential breath test between 251 and 400 micrograms of alcohol per litre of breath will receive an infringement notice with a $200 infringement fee and 50 demerit points. Drivers in this range will not be able to elect an evidential blood test.
Drivers who accumulate 100 or more demerit points from driving offences within two years will receive a three month driver licence suspension. An infringement offence will not result in the driver receiving a criminal conviction.