The Alcohol and Drug Foundation in Australia has released a new video highlighting key facts about blood alcohol concentration (BAC) and the risks of drinking and driving. The video emphasizes that time is the only factor that can sober a person up—methods like drinking coffee or taking a cold shower won’t lower BAC. The body processes about one standard drink per hour, and exceeding this rate increases your BAC. Importantly, the video points out that even after a night of heavy drinking, a person might still be over the legal driving limit the next morning. For most drivers in Australia, the legal BAC limit is 0.05%, while it is 0.00% for learner and commercial drivers. The video urges individuals to plan alternate transport if they have consumed alcohol.
The campaign also explains that BAC can be affected by a variety of factors, including body size, food intake, and liver health. Even small amounts of alcohol can impair concentration and reaction times, making activities like driving and operating machinery dangerous. The Alcohol and Drug Foundation advises that there is no guaranteed safe amount of drinking that will keep you under the 0.05% BAC limit, as individual factors play a significant role. For anyone uncertain about their ability to drive safely after drinking, the safest option is to avoid getting behind the wheel altogether.
Read more from Alcohol and Drug Foundation (Australia, September 2024)
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