Definitions
PCA
PCA stands for prescribed concentration of alcohol.
Novice Range PCA
The offence of novice range PCA is committed by a person who holds either a learner licence or provisional licence, who drives a motor vehicle on a public road, with a blood alcohol concentration above 0.000 and not higher than 0.019.
Special Range PCA
The offence of special range PCA is committed by a special category driver who drives a motor vehicle on a public road, with a blood alcohol concentration of at least 0.020 but not higher than 0.049. The special range applies to drivers, such as bus and taxi drivers, who hold a particular class of licence subjecting them to a blood alcohol limit of 0.02.
Low Range PCA
The offence of low range PCA is committed by a person who drives a motor vehicle on a public road, with a blood alcohol concentration of at least 0.050 but not higher than 0.079.
Mid Range PCA
The offence of mid range PCA is committed by a person who drives a motor vehicle on a public road, with a blood alcohol concentration of at least 0.080 but not higher than 0.149.
High Range PCA
The offence of high range PCA is committed by a person who drives a motor vehicle on a public road with a blood alcohol concentration of at least 0.150 and above.
Refuse Breath Analysis
The offence of refuse breath analysis is committed by a person who was the driver of a motor vehicle on a public road, and when required to submit to breath analysis, either refuses or fails to provide a sufficient sample. It is not a defence to refuse breath analysis on the basis that you wanted to seek legal advice before providing a sample for breath analysis.
Driving Under the Influence
Unlike the offence of driving with the Prescribed Concentration of Alcohol, no breath analysis is done in the offence of driving under the influence. Driving under the influence is generally proven by the observations of police or witnesses and the surrounding circumstances, such as the person’s breath smelling of intoxicating liquor, the person’s slurred speech, the person being unsteady on their feet, or a car accident.
Wilfully Alter Blood Concentration
This offence is committed by a person who purposely consumes more of a substance to alter the level of alcohol in their blood or breath between the time of the alleged offence and the time of testing. For example, a person who is involved in a motor vehicle crash and while waiting for police to arrive, consumes an alcoholic beverage.
Road or Road Related Area
Drink driving is an offence if it occurs on a road or road-related area. This includes public footpaths, cycle lanes, public car parks, or any area that is not a road but is open to or used by the public for driving, riding or parking vehicles.