Driving Offences

Culpable Driving

One of the most serious driving offences – if you kill someone while you are driving a motor vehicle.

Driving Culpably means driving -

• Recklessly
  
• Negligently, or
  
• While under the influence of alcohol or drugs, so that you cannot effectively control the vehicle

Reckless Driving

Basically when someone drives in such a manner that they ignore the fact that their driving may cause another person serious injury or death.

Negligent driving is when the driver fails to take the amount of care that is necessary for them to take in the circumstances.

Dangerous Driving

When a person drives at such a speed or in a manner which is dangerous to the public in the circumstances.

Careless Driving

Careless Driving is where drivers fail to exercise due care and attention, it is very broad and can apply to many driving situations. For example in a motor vehicle accident when a vehicle collides into the rear of the vehicle in front due to not taking the appropriate due care and attention – a careless driving charge may apply.

Speeding

You break the law if you exceed any speed limit on any road in Australia. If you speed you can lose demerit points, receive a Traffic Infringement Notice or even lose your licence depending on the speed and circumstances in which you were driving.

Races and Speed Trials (Street Dragging)

It is against the law to organize or take part in any kind of race or speed trial involving a motor vehicle.

This is commonly referred to as Street Drags or Drag Races.

The only exception to this rule is if the Minister has officially authorized the event.

Drink Driving

Every person has different tolerances to blood alcohol limits in their body, it is an offence to drive if the amount of alcohol in your blood is over the limit that applies to you.

Each State has different blood alcohol limits applicable to driving. You should become familiar to these limits depending on what State you will be residing and studying.

Different penalties apply depending on how much over the limit you are, and whether it is your first drink driving offence or not. You could be fined, lose your licence and even be sent to prison.

Breath Tests

The police have the power to request you undergo a breath test or preliminary breath test if you are driving a motor vehicle. Also if they have a reasonable belief that you were the driver that was involved in a motor vehicle that was involved in an accident, time frames do apply. If you are not sure become familiar with the laws in the State in which you reside.

Driving Under the Influence of Drugs

It is against the law to drive a motor vehicle while you are under the influence of drugs. Police will look carefully at the way you were driving, they can test you for drugs in your blood system and even have you undertake certain physical co ordination tests.     

 

How to Apply