The Andrews Labor Government has announced tougher penalties for drivers who consume alcohol before getting behind the wheel.
Under the proposed changes, full licence holders detected with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.05-0.069 will face licence cancellation and disqualification for three months for a first offence.
Drivers caught with a BAC over 0.05 will be required to have an alcohol interlock fitted to their vehicle for six months. All drink-drivers will have to complete a new behaviour change program before being relicensed.
“We make no apologies for toughening penalties for drink-drivers who continue to put the lives of Victorians at risk with their dangerous behaviour,” said Minister for Roads and Road Safety Luke Donnellan. “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.”
Up to 3,000 full licence holders are caught drink-driving between 0.05 and 0.07 BAC each year. In 2016, drink-driving contributed to 23% of road deaths.
According to the Andrews Labor Government, research shows that licence disqualifications can cut instances of repeat drink-driving by 70% and reduce crashes by 79%. Installing alcohol interlocks van slash repeat drink-driving by 63%.