- Alcohol and drugs impair driving in different ways, but both are dangerous.
- Some drivers wrongly believe that drug driving is less risky than drink driving.
- Alcohol can remain in your system for longer than you think. The safest option is to avoid driving if you plan to drink alcohol.
- Insurance is there for responsible drivers. Driving under the influence can void your cover, leaving you to pay for damage costs.
Drugs, drink, and driving: Know the high risks and penalties
Last updated on 12 August, 2026
You already know that drink driving is dangerous. But did you know that drug driving causes more fatal crashes than alcohol? At Allianz, we support drivers who make safe choices. To help you stay safer on the road, here’s what you need to know about the risks of impaired driving.
Key takeaways
What are the risks of drink or drug driving?
Safe driving depends on having a clear focus and quick reactions. While alcohol and drugs affect people in different ways, even small amounts can impair your driving ability.
How alcohol affects driving
The Centre for Road Safety explains that alcohol can:
- Slow your brain so you can’t respond to situations, make decisions or react quickly
- Reduce your ability to judge speed or distance from other objects
- Give you a false sense of confidence
- Make it harder to do more than one thing at a time
- Make you drowsy, and you could fall asleep at the wheel
How illicit drugs affect driving
Drugs that act as stimulants, like methamphetamine and cocaine, can increase aggression and risk taking while driving. Cannabis, by contrast, can slow reaction times, making it harder to judge timing and distance.
Using more than one drug, mixing drugs, or adding alcohol, raises the risk of an accident even higher. Put simply, driving under the influence can be deadly.
Drug driving: Trends and perception
National crash data analysis by University of Melbourne researchers reveals that drug driving deaths have surpassed drink driving. Between 2010 and 2023, fatal crashes involving drug use rose from 7.6% to 16.8%.
Researchers found this trend is partly due to perception. Some drivers believe drug driving is less risky than drink driving. It also carries less social stigma. In addition, some drivers believe they’re less likely to get caught.
These beliefs are false and dangerous. In reality, drug driving is a serious offence with severe risks and penalties.
A zero tolerance approach to drug driving
All Australian states have a zero-tolerance approach to drug driving. If police detect drugs, even trace amounts, there’s a penalty.
Drivers can be charged with Driving Under the Influence (DUI). There are also harsh penalties for combined drink and drug driving offences.
The law and penalties
Drink and drug driving laws apply across Australia, and penalties vary from state to state. They depend on licence type, offence severity, and the Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) reading. These are typical examples.
Drink driving penalties
- For a provisional licence driver: penalties apply if BAC is over 0.0
- For a full licence driver: penalties apply if BAC is over 0.05
- Penalties can include fines of over $5,000, licence disqualification, and prison.
Drug driving penalties
- For a provisional licence driver: penalties apply if drugs are detected in saliva
- For a full licence driver: penalties apply if drugs are detected in saliva
- Penalties can include fines, licence disqualification, and prison.
Making safe choices
Every decision you make on the road can affect others. At Allianz, we believe prevention is better than recovery.
When are you safe to drive after alcohol?
The safest option is to avoid alcohol if you plan to drive. Here’s why.
Alcohol affects people differently, so it can be hard to judge if you’re over the legal limit. Your BAC is affected by various factors. The Alcohol and Drug Foundation suggests these can include your size, how much you’ve eaten, your age, gender, and liver health.
Drink sizes and alcohol strength can also vary. One glass of wine, for example, may contain more alcohol than another.
Only a breathalyser can confirm how much alcohol remains in your system. You can’t rely on how you feel. Alcohol can stay in your system for longer than you might think. Australian Government Health advice states that even when you stop drinking, your BAC can keep rising.
Plan ahead to avoid drink driving
If you’ve got a big night coming up where you know you’ll enjoy a few drinks, plan ahead. Consider one of these safe options:
- Ask a friend or relative to give you a lift
- Choose a designated driver who won’t drink
- Rideshare or call a taxi
- Take public transport
- Don’t accept a lift from anyone who has been drinking
- If you’ll be far from home, arrange an overnight stay
How drink or drug driving could affect your Allianz Car Insurance
We support safe drivers, and our policies reflect this.
Driving under the influence is not covered by Allianz Car Insurance. Your policy won’t cover you if the driver:
- Exceeds the legal limit of alcohol
- Is under the influence of drugs
- Refuses a drug or alcohol test
If you’re involved in an accident while drink or drug driving, your claim will be denied. You’ll need to pay for the damages yourself.
For full details of general exclusions, see your Product Disclosure Statement (PDS).
Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is never worth the risk. It puts lives in danger and can have lasting consequences. By making responsible choices, you can help keep yourself and others safer on the road.
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Disclaimer
This article has been prepared by Allianz Australia Insurance Limited ABN 15 000 122 850 AFSL234708 ("Allianz"). It is a summary of key concepts and not meant to represent the complete picture on any given matter. It is not meant to be legal advice. The information should be read in conjunction with the relevant legislation and regulations. In some cases, information has been provided to us by third parties and while that information is believed to be accurate and reliable, its accuracy is not guaranteed in any way.
Any opinions expressed constitute our views at the time of issue and are subject to change. Neither Allianz, nor its employees or directors give any warranty of accuracy or accept responsibility for any loss or liability incurred by you in respect of any error, omission or misrepresentation in this article.
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