With the prevalence of alcohol usage in New South Wales (NSW), Australia, stricter DUI policies have been implemented to help maintain road safety. The national alcohol limit in NSW and other places in Australia is now 0.05% Blood Alcohol Content (BAC). Consequently, it is a vast difference compared to the 0.08% BAC requirement in other countries. Hence, it means that driving with a BAC of 0.05% or more in Australia would be deemed illegal and is punishable by law. Moreover, the BAC level of an individual can be measured using alcohol breath analysers, also known as breathalysers. Law enforcers monitor them by stopping and inspecting drivers that seem to be driving irregularly or dangerously. If a driver does go above the alcohol limit, Driving Under the Influence (DUI) charges may be given by the officer, leading to some dire penalties. 

Thus, Australians in NSW nowadays choose to purchase breath analysers for personal use. It is to check their BAC level in order to avoid driving when their results go over the alcohol limit in NSW. Likewise, Breathalysers Australia offers a variety of high-quality BACtrack personal breathalysers to choose from.

More Information on Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) Levels

The importance of maintaining the alcohol limit in NSW of under 0.05% BAC is due to the effects one could present when going over it. Furthermore, an individual with a BAC of 0.06% and over could already have moderate motor, functional, memory, and judgment impairments. These effects can drastically affect one’s driving abilities. It critically endangers oneself and others on the road. Hence, that is why Australian law is strict regarding drink/ drunk driving. Drinking alcohol can affect an individual in different ways based on their BAC level.

At 0.02% BAC Level:

• Lack of judgment
• Increased relaxation
• Slightly increased body temperature
• Mood swings
• Decreased visual functionality
• Inability to multi-task

At 0.05% BAC:

• Increased lack of judgment
• Exaggerated behaviour
• Lack of coordination
• Reduced ability to detect moving objects 
• Lack of alertness, 
• Lack of inhibitions
• Decreased small-muscle control
• Reduced response rate

At 0.08% BAC Level:

• Reduced muscle coordination
• Lack of judgment
• Lack of reasoning
• Loss of short-term memory
• Lack of self-control
• Reduced ability to concentrate
• Lack of speed control
• Reduced ability to process information

At 0.10% BAC Level

• Poor coordination
• Slowed reaction times
• Reduced ability to control the vehicle
• Reduced ability to keep the vehicle within a lane and brake at appropriate times
• Slurred speech

At 0.15% BAC Level:

• Extreme loss of balance
• Nearly zero muscle control
• Vomiting
• Impaired visual and auditory information processing
• Significantly reduced attention to driving tasks

Alcohol Limit in NSW

Aside from having the general 0.05% alcohol limit in NSW, there are also five other categories for drink driving charges. These include:

• The novice range (0.00% to 0.019% BAC)
• The special range (0.02% to 0.049% BAC)
• Low range (0.05% to 0.079% BAC)
• Mid range (0.08% to 0.149% BAC)
• High range (0.15% BAC and higher)

Furthermore, each alcohol limit in NSW shall apply to different types of drivers or license holders.

For 0.00% BAC:

• Learner drivers
• Provisional P1 licence holders
• Provisional 2 licence holders
• Interlock licence holders
• Visiting drivers holding an overseas or interstate learner, provisional or equivalent licence

For <0.02% BAC:

• Gross vehicle mass (of greater than 13.9 tonnes) drivers
• Drivers of vehicles carrying dangerous goods
• Taxi, bus, limousine or other public vehicle drivers

For >0.05% BAC:

• ALL other licences (including overseas and interstate licence holders) that are not subject to the novice and special range

Penalties for Going Over Each Alcohol Limit in NSW

Each alcohol limit in NSW has its own penalty for offenders. Penalties for going over these limits may vary heavily based on the circumstance when it was offended. However, there are some sets of baselines for each offence.

Firstly, first-time offenders in the low range will have their licence suspended for three months and will receive a fine of $587. Moreover, if the case should go to court, those penalties can increase (licence suspension up to 4 months and fine increase to a maximum of $2200). Secondly, those caught with a mid range offence will be required to fit an alcohol interlock to their vehicle and pay a potential $2200 fine. Furthermore, there is also a possibility of jail time (up to nine months) and a licence suspension (six months or indefinitely). Lastly, those caught with a high range offence will also be required an alcohol interlock program on top of a hefty $3300 fine. In addition, up to 18 months of jail time and licence suspension (twelve months or indefinitely). Those are the possible penalties when a driver goes over each alcohol limit in NSW.

How Personal Breathalysers Can Help Prevent Going Over the Alcohol Limit in NSW

Using a personal breathalyser to monitor your BAC levels constantly could prove to be helpful for maintaining the alcohol limit in NSW, as it can inform you whether you can legally drive or not. Accordingly, it prevents individuals from acquiring the harsh penalties given to DUI or drunk driving charges. Penalties like hefty fines, ignition interlocks, confiscated licenses, and impounded vehicles can be avoided by closely monitoring one’s BAC level.

Besides preventing troubles with the law, drivers can also help improve their safety by checking in with their personal breath analysers now and then. Moreover, higher quality breathalysers can also note the alcohol limit in NSW and other places of Australia and produce an audible sound that informs the user if they are still over the limit. Hence, it is why more reliable devices like the BACtrack personal breathalysers at Breathalysers Australia should be preferred. These devices can help people decide whether it is safe to drive home or take a taxi instead with added security and confirmation.

BACtrack Personal Breathalysers at Breathalysers Australia

Nowadays, people don’t have to wait for a police officer to tell them if they are legally driving or not. Accurate and professional-grade devices, like the BACtrack breathalysers from Breathalysers Australia, have been made for public use to help them monitor their own BAC levels. After enjoying a drink or two, individuals can now make sure they can still legally drive and not surpass the alcohol limit in NSW; and other places in Australia. 

Breathalysers Australia’s BACtrack personal breathalysers are compact and portable without sacrificing accuracy and reliability. Some of these breath analysers can seamlessly connect to iOS or Android smartphones via Bluetooth through the BACtrack app. Moreover, these smartphone breathalysers come with options that help inform would-be drivers on when and how long until their BAC returns to 0.00%. It is made possible with the innovative BACtrack ZeroLine® technology. Furthermore, some devices come with a keychain, which can attach to any key, bag, belt or purse; this further increases portability. In conclusion, investing in a BACtrack personal breathalyser at Breathalysers Australia is a wise choice for maintaining your BAC at the alcohol limit in NSW; and other places in Australia.