Alcohol interlock campaign warns WA motorists

Sunday, 18 September 2016

• ​Campaign warns WA motorists of new alcohol interlock laws
• Serious and repeat drink drivers will be forced to install alcohol interlocks
• Alcohol interlocks come into effect October 24, 2016

West Australians have been put on notice that if they drink and drive they are likely to have to install an alcohol interlock device to their vehicle, under tough new Liberal National Government laws.

Deputy Premier and Road Safety Minister Liza Harvey today launched a public education campaign five weeks ahead of the laws coming into force.

"The campaign will make it crystal clear that WA will now include alcohol interlocks as part of the penalties for drink driving," Ms Harvey said.

"The campaign highlights the new laws and also the impact these devices have on a person's freedom when they have to blow into an alcohol interlock every time they get into their vehicle."

The Deputy Premier said the devices would be fitted to vehicles once drivers had served their drink driving penalty and would remain in place for at least six months.

The scheme would capture first time offenders convicted of Driving Under the Influence of alcohol (BAC of or above 0.15%) and repeat drink drivers who have been convicted of two or more Drink Driving offences (BAC of or above 0.05% or 0.02% for P-platers) within a five-year period.

"As part of our commitment to address the root cause of drink driving, offenders who breach the scheme will also have to undergo Alcohol Assessment & Treatment counselling," Ms Harvey said.

"The offender will be responsible for the cost of installing the alcohol interlock system.  Once the driver blows 0.02 or less, the vehicle will start, however they may be required to re-test during the journey."

The Deputy Premier said the alcohol interlock scheme was funded through the Road Trauma Trust Account which was made of speed and red light camera fines.

Fact File

• An alcohol interlock device will cost the offender about $1,600
• Alcohol is a factor in about one quarter of fatal crashes and one in 10 serious injury crashes on WA roads
• The State Government allocated a record $148.5 million from the Road Trauma Trust Account for the 2016-17 year