Mixing drugs
Mixing drugs, or polydrug use, can have unpredictable effects on your brain and body.48
Combining drugs — including alcohol, illegal drugs or medications — can be extremely dangerous on the road.
It can increase the impact of each drug, slow your reaction time, affect coordination, and raise risk of crashing.47,48
Polydrug use is a common factor in serious crashes and road deaths.1
You might not feel intoxicated — for example, stimulants like amphetamines can mask the depressant effects of alcohol — but your driving is still impaired.49
Recent drug drivers are more likely to use multiple substances, drive more often under the influence, and underestimate how risky it is.1
If you're caught driving with both a BAC of 0.05% or higher and illicit drugs in your system, you can be charged with a separate offence. The penalties for this offence are higher.13
The reality is: the more substances you mix, the greater the danger.
If you’ve used more than one drug, do not drive.
Alcohol, drugs and driving – things to remember
- It’s illegal to drive if your blood alcohol level is 0.05 or over.8
- It’s illegal to drive with any quantity of illicit drugs in your system and roadside drug testing occurs in all states and territories.50
- Alcohol and other drugs can affect you long after their immediate impact appears to have worn off.
- People with drugs in their system pose a higher road risk. Even if they feel it’s safe to drive, they can still be impaired.14
- Feeling tired or hungover as drugs wear off can also impair driving.51
- It’s safest for everyone to avoid driving if you’ve recently drunk alcohol or taken other drugs.52
- Before using any medication, find out how it might impact driving ability and interact with alcohol and other drugs – speak to your doctor, read the packet, and visit the NPS MedicineWise website for more information.
Planning ahead
If you plan to drink or use drugs – do not drive or operate any other type of transport, such as e-bikes or e-scooters. Choosing to drive to a place you plan to drink can create the temptation to drive home. Plan ahead by:
- nominating a designated driver you trust
- using public transport, taxis or ride share (uber)
- asking a family member or friend to pick you up
- staying overnight.
Alcohol and other drugs can continue to affect you the next day - tiredness, hangovers and come downs can all impact your ability to drive safely.51
If you plan to drink or use drugs – do not drive or operate any other type of transport, such as e-bikes or e-scooters.52
More info on safe driving
Visit the following pages for more information: