Hulls launches tough new drink drive campaign

04 Dec 2003

Media Release - 4 December 2003

TAC Minister and Attorney-General, Rob Hulls, today launched a new TAC public education campaign to reinforce the message that drivers even only a little bit over 0.05 are 'bloody idiots'.

The new campaign is in direct response to the significant increase in drivers killed with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) at, or just over, the legal limit of 0.05.

Mr Hulls said that the campaign was highly emotive and contrasted the cynical regard low-level drink drivers had their own safety and that of other road users, with the tragic outcomes that can occur.

"What many people don't understand, or refuse to admit, is that you don't have to be blind drunk before alcohol affects your driving ability," Mr Hulls said.

"Driving with any alcohol in your bloodstream reduces your concentration, reaction time and ability to judge distances – making you incredibly vulnerable to being involved in a casualty crash.

"At 0.05, your risk of crashing doubles; at 0.10 you're seven times more at risk; and at 0.15 you're 25 times more at risk of having a crash.

"Too many drivers are being caught with an illegal BAC and, not coincidentally, drink driving is increasingly the cause of deaths and injuries on our roads."

Almost a third of all fatal crashes in Victoria involve a driver with an illegal BAC.

In 2002, 72 drivers were killed as a result of drink driving – a 53% increase from 1998.

This growth has largely been among drivers with lower BAC readings. Of the 72 drink drivers killed last year, 19, representing more than a quarter, had a BAC of between 0.05 and 0.10, compared to three in 1998.

Encouragingly, there are signs of a decrease in the incidence of, and fatalities involving, drivers with a BAC at or over 0.15.

"Eighteen months ago, two-thirds of those killed with an illegal BAC were over 0.15. In the last 12 months, the figure has dropped to half," Mr Hulls said.

"These figures suggest Victorians understand the dangers of drunk driving, but the reality is, that driving with a low BAC is dangerous, and can be just as fatal.

"The message is simple: don't drink and then drive.

"If you are going out to have a few drinks, plan how you will get home before you leave home and don't take the car," Mr Hulls said.

"If you have any doubt about your BAC – don't drive. Find another way to get home, such as catching a taxi or getting a lift with a friend.

"The excuse of being 'only a little bit over' 0.05 will not wash with your family, friends, community – or importantly, the police.

"Drivers have no excuse – even only a little bit over, you're still a bloody idiot."

Victoria's road toll currently stands at 311, down from 361 for the same period in 2002 (a decrease of 14%).