First-time Victorian drink drivers to lose licences under tough new laws

THOUSANDS of first-time Victorian drink-drivers will lose their ­licences and have interlock devices installed in their cars under new laws introduced by the Andrews Government.

Reforms cracking down on low-range drink-driving off­ences have been introduced into parliament. Generic picture

THOUSANDS of first-time drink-drivers will lose their ­licences and have interlock devices installed in their cars under new laws introduced by the Andrews Government.

Reforms cracking down on low-range drink-driving off­ences were introduced to parliament yesterday and are expected to come into effect early next year if passed.

Up to 3000 full licence-holders are caught drink-driving with a blood-alcohol content between 0.05 and 0.07 each year, the lowest punishable level.

The changes will mean drink-drivers in this range, including first-time offenders, will have their licences cancelled immediately and they will be disqualified from driving for three months.

Every drink-driver in the state will also be required to have an interlock fitted to their car for at least six months and must complete a behavioural change program.

Every drink-driver in the state will also be required to have an interlock fitted to their car for at least six months. Generic picture: Steve Tanner

An alcohol interlock immobilises a car until a driver successfully passes a breath­alyser test in the device.

They will cost drink-­drivers about $180 to install, $150 per month to maintain and $100 to remove.

Minister for Roads and Road Safety Luke Donnellan said low-level drink-driving was a serious danger.

“We make no apologies for toughening penalties for drink-drivers who continue to put the lives of Victorians at risk,” he said.

“Drink-driving at any level is incredibly dangerous — even at 0.05, drink-drivers double their chances of crashing, risking not only their lives but the lives of others.”

Thousands of first-time drink-drivers will lose their ­licences and have interlock devices installed in their cars under new laws introduced by the Andrews Government.

According to Victoria’s Transport Accident Commission, one in every five drivers and riders who lost their lives had a BAC greater than 0.05, with 34 deaths recorded in 2016. Other reforms in the Transport Legislation Amendment Bill 2017 include:

MORE police powers to impound cars driven by hoons or involved in other dangerous behaviour;

TOUGHER penalties for excessive speeding, unlicensed driving and employing unlicensed motorists in driving roles; and

COURT penalties for drug-drivers will double and they will be disqualified from getting behind the wheel for six months, up from three months.

Victoria Police Assistant Commissioner Doug Fryer, the state’s top traffic cop, said he welcomed the tough approach to drink-driving.

“These reforms are bold and they’re absolutely designed to make Victoria’s roads the safest in the nation,” he said.

“Whether low or high-range drinking, all of it contributes to road trauma.

“We take people’s licences when they exceed the speed limit by 25kmh, surely it is acceptable and to take their ­licences when drink-driving.”

RACV manager of road user behaviour Rebekah Smith said the body supported stricter penalties for drink-drivers.

“That being said, RACV also believes such measures need to be undertaken as part of a holistic approach to ensure they work and that structures are in place including court processes and alcohol rehabilitation programs,” she said.

Premier Daniel Andrews this morning said the new reforms would save lives.

“What we know is that drink driving, even at a low level, causes death, it’s as simple as that,” he said.

“If you want to cut the road toll, if you want to keep people safe, if you want to make sure people are getting home to be with their family and their loved ones, then you have to take some of these steps.

“We make absolutely no apology for putting in place very tough new laws, as those tough laws will save lives. “

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