No second chances: crackdown on drink driving

13 May 2016

Every motorist convicted of drink driving will be required to use an alcohol interlock device, under a crackdown by the Andrews Labor Government.

Anyone found to be driving with a BAC over 0.05 will be required to drive vehicles fitted with an alcohol interlock device for a specified period, depending on the severity of the offence.

Alcohol interlock devices are currently only mandatory for full-licence offenders with a BAC of 0.07 or more, repeat offenders and those on a probationary licence or learner permit.

Currently, most full-licence holders caught with a BAC reading of between 0.05 and 0.07 will receive a fine and lose 10 demerit points.

Drink driving accounts for 15-20 per cent of motorists killed on Victorian roads per year and 15 per cent of motorists seriously injured. Alcohol-related driver fatalities are conservatively estimated to cost at least $270 million per year.

Minister for Roads and Road Safety Luke Donnellan said the changes would limit the chances of drink drivers reoffending.

“Too many drivers pay the fine and forget about the potential consequences of drink-driving. The families and friends of victims don’t have that luxury,” Mr Donnellan said.

“Disturbingly, around 20 per cent of drink drivers are repeat offenders.”

Repeat drink drivers make up 20 per cent of drink drivers detected by police and up to 30 per cent of drivers involved in fatal crashes.

“Fines and demerit points alone aren’t working – more is needed to help reduce the number of Victorians who lose their lives or are seriously injured on our roads every year because of drink driving.”

Those driving commercial vehicles, including taxis, buses, heavy vehicles and tow trucks, with a BAC over 0.00 will also receive a mandatory interlock device and will lose their right of repeal.

The Labor Government will introduce legislation to the Victorian Parliament for the expansion of the alcohol interlock program as soon as possible.