The penalties for mid-range drink driving have been toughened up, with offenders to spend at least three months disqualified and need to have an alcohol interlock installed in their vehicle for 12 months.
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Also if you are a repeat, high-risk drink driver, police will also have the power to take your number plates or vehicle on the spot. Mid-range offences involve a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 to less than 0.15.
Member for Dubbo and NSW Police Minister Troy Grant welcomed the introduction of new deterrents aimed at reducing the number of drink-drivers on the roads.
“We all know there is no such thing as safe drink-driving and these new reforms are aimed at making people think twice about their choices,” Mr Grant said.
KEY REFORMS
- Expansion of the alcohol interlock program, which already applies to high-range and repeat offenders, to also include all mid-range drink drivers;
- Roadside, on the spot vehicle sanctions for repeat, high risk drink drivers, including number plate or vehicle confiscation for three months.
“Unfortunately we have seen on too many occasions the horrendous ramifications of people having a couple of drinks and hopping behind the wheel. With Christmas coming up and the party season in full swing I encourage everyone to think about their actions and the impact they can have on the entire community.”
Minister for Roads, Maritime and Freight Melinda Pavey said drivers have had almost 38 years to get used to the 0.05 limit on NSW roads.
“We all know drink driving is unacceptable and now the penalty is swift. Fifty-five people lost their lives in alcohol related crashes last year and around 6,000 mid-range first offences,” Mrs Pavey said.
For drivers with a blood alcohol reading of 0.08, the risk of crashing is around four times that of a driver who has not been drinking, this increases to at least 12 times by 0.15.
