Tough new penalties for low-range drink driving to come into affect from April 30 in Victoria

VICTORIAN drink drivers will face some of the harshest penalties in Australia from next week when tough new laws come into effect.

VICTORIAN drink-drivers will face some of the harshest penalties in Australia from next week when new laws targeting thousands of low-range offenders come into effect.

From April 30, motorists who record a blood-alcohol content reading over 0.05, the lowest punishable level, will be stripped of their licences for at least three months.

Drink-drivers will also be forced to install an interlock device, which immobilises a car until a breathalyser test is passed, for at least six months.

LOW RANGE DRINK DRIVERS TO LOSE LICENCE

WHY I DON’T BACK NEW DRINK-DRIVING LAWS

SHAKE-UP FOR DRINK DRIVING LAWS

The new drink-driving laws begin on April 30. Picture: Chris Eastman

Up to 3000 full-licence holders are caught driving with a BAC between 0.05 and 0.07 on Victorian roads every year.

Roads Minister Luke Donnellan said the Andrews Government made no apologies for targeting drink and drug-drivers.

“These laws send a strong message that there’s no excuse for this behaviour, which puts the safety of the community at risk,” he said.

Under the new laws, thousands more interlock devices are set to be introduced to cars across the state and offenders will be forced to pay for the ­installation and maintenance of the equipment.

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

“Research has shown ­licence bans reduce repeat drink-driving offences by 70 per cent, while fitting an ­alcohol interlock device cuts repeat offences by 63 per cent,” VicRoads acting deputy CEO Robyn Seymour said.

New laws will also crack down on motorists with illicit substances in their system, with penalties doubled and ­licence suspensions extended for repeat offenders

All drink and drug-drivers will have to finish a mandatory behaviour program and will face the same penalties even if caught in other states.

“The best approach is to completely separate drinking from driving, and for people who struggle to do this, interlock devices provide a safe means of returning to the road,” Transport Accident Commission CEO Joe Calafiore said.

The changes are part of the State Government’s $1.1 billion Toward Zero campaign to push Victoria’s road toll below 200 by 2020.

[e-mail]