What does prescribed concentration of alcohol or PCA mean?

Most people associate drink driving with the phrase, “driving under the influence” or DUI. In fact this is not technically correct. For most Australian state laws, the term DUI relates to that of driving under the influence of illicit drugs, not alcohol.

In Australia, it is not an offence to consume alcohol and drive a motor vehicle. However it is an offence if a driver’s blood alcohol is at a concentration that is prescribed by statute to be an offence. In NSW, there are numerous prescribed concrentration of alcohol that amount to an offence and each have different penalties associated.

The NSW Road Transport (Safety and Traffic Management) Act 1999, Section 8A specifies the different prescribed concentration of alcohol:

• Novice Range PCA - stipulates an offence is committed if the novice driver has a BAC between 0.000 and 0.019 g/100ml
   
• Special Range PCA - stipulates an offence is committed if the specified driver has a BAC between 0.020 and 0.050 g/100ml.
• Low Range PCA - stipulates an offence is committed if the driver has a BAC between 0.050 and 0.079 g/100ml.
• Mid Range PCA - stipulates an offence is committed if the driver has a BAC between 0.080 and 0.149 g/100ml.
• High Range PCA - stipulates an offence is committed if the driver has a BAC at or above 0.150 g/100ml.

 Please check with your relevant state police, legislation or road authority as prescribed concentration of aclohol (pca) offences and penalties may vary from state to state.