Alcohol, cellphones and reckless driving
This chapter covers alcohol and drugs, cellphones, and reckless or inconsiderate driving. The test asks for the two alcohol figures, so learn both.
How much alcohol may be in your blood when you drive?
It depends on the kind of driver. You may not drive a motor vehicle on a public road with this much alcohol in your body:
- a professional driver: 0,02 grams per 100ml of blood or more
- any other driver: 0,05 grams per 100ml of blood or more
Note the words 'or more'. Exactly 0,05 already breaks the rule.
May you drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs?
No. While under the influence of intoxicating liquor (alcohol) or a drug having a narcotic effect, you may not:
- drive a vehicle on a public road
- occupy (sit in) the driver's or rider's seat of a motor vehicle while its engine is running
You can break this rule even when the vehicle is not moving.
May you hold a cellphone while driving?
No. You may not drive or ride a vehicle on a public road while holding a cellular or mobile telephone. The same rule applies to any other communication device.
You may not hold it in one hand, in both hands or with any other part of the body.
What do the rules say about reckless or inconsiderate driving?
On a public road you may not drive:
- recklessly or negligently (carelessly)
- in a manner that wilfully disregards (ignores on purpose) the safety of persons or property
- without reasonable consideration for any other person using the road
Each of these is forbidden on its own.
Numbers to remember
- 0,05 grams per 100ml of blood or more: a driver who is not a professional driver may not drive
- 0,02 grams per 100ml of blood or more: a professional driver may not drive
Mistakes learners make
- Giving 0,05 as the figure for a professional driver. That figure is 0,02 grams per 100ml of blood.
- Thinking the alcohol rule needs a moving vehicle. Sitting in the driver's seat with the engine running, while under the influence, is also forbidden.
- Thinking the cellphone rule is only about your hands. You may not hold the device with any other part of the body either.
Test yourself
Question 1
While you are driving on a public road, your cellular telephone rings and you wish to hold it to your ear to answer. What does the law provide?
Show answer
Answer: C: You may not drive while holding the telephone
You may not drive or ride on a public road while you are holding a cell phone.
Question 2
True or false?
A person is permitted to drive a vehicle negligently on a public road, provided that he or she does not drive recklessly.
Show answer
Answer: False
False. You may not drive recklessly, and you may not drive negligently either.
Question 3
From what concentration of alcohol in the blood is a person who is not a professional driver prohibited from driving a motor vehicle on a public road?
Show answer
Answer: B: 0,05 grams per 100ml of blood
You may not drive when the alcohol in your blood is 0,05 grams per 100ml or more.
Question 4
You are under the influence of intoxicating liquor after a function. Your home is a short distance away along a quiet public road. What does the law require?
Show answer
Answer: B: You may not drive a vehicle on the public road
You may not drive on a public road while you are under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Question 5
True or false?
A person under the influence of intoxicating liquor is permitted to occupy the driver's seat of a motor vehicle of which the engine is running, provided the vehicle remains stationary.
Show answer
Answer: False
False. You may not sit in the driver's seat with the engine running while under the influence.
Question 6
True or false?
The prohibition on driving a vehicle on a public road while holding a cellular telephone also applies to any other communication device.
Show answer
Answer: True
It is true: the rule covers any other communication device too, not only a cell phone.
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