SA Drink Driving High Range

Blood alcohol concentration levels of 0.15% or higher is considered high-range drink driving. This is a serious traffic offense that results in immediate license cancellation. The penalties for high-range drink driving are also harsher. The fine is higher, the demerit points are also higher. The number of months of disqualification from driving will also be higher. High range drink driving is an indictable offense which means that the accused does not have the option to merely pay the fine upon receipt of the notice of cancellation of license. The high-range drink driver must appear in court. The amount of the fine to be paid and the number of months of disqualification will be discretionary upon the court.

Conviction for high-range drink driving will result in the driver needing to enrol in a compulsory alcohol interlock scheme. He must first serve half of the disqualification imposed upon him by the court and then apply for an alcohol interlock license. He must maintain good behaviour while on the alcohol interlock scheme or risk having his period of disqualification extended.