As the weather warms up and drinks crack open, locals are urged to think twice before getting behind the wheel as new drink-driving laws and tougher penalties are now in full force.
Announced last month by the State Government, the new rules will aim to reduce the number of intoxicated—and ‘only a little bit over’—drivers on the road and ensure everyone can get safely home.
As of October 17, every drink driving offender will now face a mandatory three-year period where they must have a blood alcohol content (BAC) of zero, with the period to begin once the offender successfully completes their court-mandated Alcohol Interlock Program.
The Alcohol Interlock Program requires drink driving offenders to install a breath-testing device in their vehicle which records any alcohol detected. Offenders must have an interlock device in their car for at least six months and up to four years, depending on the severity of their offence.
This means that offenders can face up to seven years of having to maintain a BAC of zero—a tough price to pay for a careless choice.
But, as Minister for Roads and Road Safety Melissa Horne noted, with one in four drivers losing their lives on the road with a BAC of 0.05 per cent or above, the penalties were a fair price to pay to prevent the heartache of losing a loved one.
“Too many families have suffered the heartbreak of losing a loved one to drink driving and these tough new penalties will make drink drivers think twice before getting behind the wheel. This will save lives,” she said.
“Every single one of us has a role to play to keep our roads safe. If you’re going out for a drink, the safest option is not to drive at all—it’s never worth the risk.”
Victorians are encouraged to plan a safe way home before heading out for a drink—whether that’s by arranging a designated driver, taking public transport, or booking a taxi or ride-share service.
