Alcohol, Drugs, Fatigue and Driver Distraction
Alcohol and drugs
In Tasmania, learner and provisional drivers must have a zero blood alcohol concentration. Full licence holders must stay under 0.05. Alcohol slows reactions, narrows attention and increases risk-taking. Drugs, including prescription and illegal drugs, can impair driving; if a medicine warns against driving, do not drive. Random breath and drug testing applies to all drivers. Refusing a test carries serious penalties.
Fatigue
Fatigue is a major contributor to rural crashes. Warning signs include yawning, drifting, heavy eyelids, and difficulty concentrating. The only effective countermeasure is to stop, rest, and if possible sleep. Plan breaks every two hours on long trips and avoid driving during hours when you would normally sleep.
Distraction
Distraction includes phones, navigation, passengers, food and loud music. Handling a phone while driving is illegal, including texting, browsing and holding it. Even hands-free calls reduce attention. Set navigation before you leave and keep interactions short.
Common traps
- Assuming a small amount of alcohol is safe for a provisional driver; it is not, the limit is zero.
- Believing coffee, fresh air or loud music overcome fatigue.
- Thinking a hands-free phone is risk-free.
- Forgetting that prescription medication can count as drug driving.
Worked example
A learner driver has one beer at a barbecue and feels fine. The legal limit is zero, so any alcohol is a breach. The correct answer is not to drive.
Rule of thumb
If you would not drive with a child in the car, you should not drive at all.