What was happening

The drink driving industry is continually changing and around this time various agencies and organizations were set launch specific campaigns affecting drink drivers.   In November 2005, Phase 4 of the TAC Only a little bit over? Campaign was introduced showing that you don’t have to be drunk to be over the limit and that you can’t judge your BAC by how you feel.   Based on data from evidential breath tests conducted by police in Victoria, drink driving offenders are:

• predominantly male (85%)
• almost one in three (32%) have had one or more prior convictions for drink driving
• almost one in four (23%) were drinking at hotels prior to being intercepted
• the average BAC level was .09
• blue collar workers (trades persons, labourers) accounted for more than a third of those tested
• the main age groups involved were
• 25-29 years (18%)
• 21-24 years (15%)
• 30-34 years (15%)
• 35-39 years (12%)
• full strength beer was consumed by almost two out of every three (61%) of those tested.

What the TAC is now trying to achieve through its campaigns is a reduction in “low-level” drink driving.  Whilst previous campaigns communicated educational and enforcement messages, this new campaign addresses the effects on one’s usual lifestyle of losing a licence through “low-level” drink driving.

The Only a little bit over? You bloody idiot campaign is relevant to all people who have a few drinks and then risk getting behind the wheel because they are under the illusion of being in control, or assuming that they will not get caught.    Local police intelligence indicated an alarming number of 26 to 39 year olds females, a group with several years driving experience who should know better, were increasingly driving with BAC’s of 0.05% to 0.10%, after drinking only small amounts of wine.   Many of these people also think that driving “a little bit over” the legal BAC level of .05 is alright. 

While the expectation of being caught by the police while drink driving has increased over the past three years, people still continue to take the chance.   Other reasons why people drive near or over the .05% limit include:

 

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