VicRoads to handle removal of alcohol interlock devices to free up Victoria’s court system

THE Andrews Government is set to axe the requirement for drink drivers to present themselves to court before they can have alcohol interlock devices removed, with VicRoads to take up the slack.

THOUSANDS of drink drivers slugged with alcohol interlock devices will be sent to VicRoads under a new plan by the Andrews Government to free up Victoria’s clogged courts.

Roads Minister Luke Donnellan will on Thursday announce an overhaul of the current system which requires motorists to present themselves to court before they can be free of the restrictive technology.

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Instead VicRoads offices will oversee the removal process for all but the most serious drink driving offenders.

Judges will still oversee the installation of the devices and will continue to decide when they are removed for high-level offences such as culpable driving.

Cars fitted with the equipment are immobilised until a driver successfully passes a breath­alyser test.

The government aims to free up the court system by sending offenders to VicRoads.

In the 2016-17 financial year there were more than 5000 applications to remove the interlocks in Victoria, and this has been tipped to surge after the state government introduced tough new laws from April 30.

Motorists who record a blood-alcohol content reading over 0.05, the lowest punishable level, are now stripped of their licences and forced to install an interlock device for at least six months.

As many as 3000 full licence holders across the state are busted with BAC counts between 0.05 and 0.069 annually, according to government figures.

The new rules are tipped to free up the equivalent of 175 days in the Magistrates’ Court and prevent a surge in removal applications from creating a severe backlog in cases.

Roads Minister Luke Donnellan. Picture: Yuri Kouzmin

“More than 10,000 Victorians currently have an alcohol interlock device in their car — and they need to apply to the Magistrates’ Court of Victoria to have it removed, which takes up valuable time in our court system,” Mr Donnellan said.

“This change will free up our courts to spend more time dealing with high priority matters, such as family violence.”

Interlock devices cost about $180 to install, $150 to maintain per month and $100 to remove.

Drivers will still need to meet the same requirements to have them removed but will be able to handle the process at offices run by VicRoads.

Earlier this year it was revealed motorists from interstate were dodging laws forcing them to have interlocks, with the state government quickly moving to close the loophole.

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