What it Means to Get a DUI in NZ
18 January, 2022
The drinking culture in New Zealand has remained unchanged over the years. People consume alcohol during social activities, and that is normal worldwide. To help improve safety, New Zealand has added several drink driving rules and regulations throughout the years. Driving under the influence of alcohol is a long-standing issue for the public. Driving under the influence (DUI) means that you are operating a vehicle while impaired by alcohol or other substances. A DUI in NZ is a criminal offence with high legal costs. Law enforcement inspects the drivers for signs of impaired driving. You can get a DUI charge if your blood alcohol content (BAC) exceeds the legal limit for alcohol.
The legal limit for alcohol in NZ is 0.05% BAC for 20 years old and above. Drivers under 20 years old have a 0.00% alcohol driving limit. Police conduct roadside alcohol testing through police breathalysers to screen for alcohol. If your BAC level exceeds 0.05%, you can face legal consequences. A DUI in NZ has varying degrees of penalties. Court-imposed penalties can include imprisonment, hefty fines, and driving disqualifications. Additionally, the court can impose an additional alcohol interlock program for subsequent offences. It is critical to know your blood alcohol level before driving because it can help you avoid these severe penalties. You can determine your BAC through personal breathalysers. A breathalyser is a device that analyses ethanol through breath samples. BACtrack personal breathalysers are highly reliable devices that monitor your BAC level to avoid drink driving charges.
DUI in NZ: Penalties Based on Your BAC
Getting out of a DUI in NZ is a long process. You can get fines and demerit points at lower BAC levels. However, with higher BAC levels (0.08% and above), you can face up to three months in jail and six months driving suspension. Additionally, repeat offences can cost you heavier penalties and a driving disqualification. You may apply for a limited license if you receive a driving disqualification or too many demerit points. The court could grant you a limited license under certain circumstances, and you can only drive for specific reasons and at specified times.
The best way to deal with legal trouble is to avoid a DUI in NZ altogether. DUI or drink driving is preventable through responsible monitoring of alcohol consumption. You can use a breathalyser to manage your consumption effectively. Monitoring your alcohol level is an effective way not to exceed the legal limits. BACtrack personal breathalysers use fuel cell sensors to measure BAC accurately. These are the same sensors you can find in a police officer’s breathalyser. Checking your BAC can help you determine how close are you to the limit. Breath tests can help you know when you need to stop or slow down so you can safely drive home.
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