Australia: All NSW drink-drivers to lose licence immediately under tough new rules
Every person caught drink-driving in NSW will immediately lose their licence on the spot and cop a massive fine under strict new laws.
By Phoebe Loomes
May 6, 2019
Anyone caught over the legal limit, even low-range drink-drivers, will lose their licence on the spot, and be slapped with a whopping $561 fine under the new penalties to be introduced on May 20.
It’s a policy being touted by Andrew Constance, NSW Roads Minister, who says the state has “zero tolerance” for drink-driving and drug-driving.
“This means anyone caught drink-driving in NSW, at any level, including low-range, can now lose their licence immediately,” the minister said in a statement today.
“This reform makes it clear if you break the law, you will pay the price. We are taking a zero-tolerance approach to drink and drug driving.”
Assistant Police Commissioner Michael Corboy said the reform would protect road users by ensuring swift and certain penalties.
He’s warned drivers that after almost four decades with the same alcohol limits in place for drivers, there are “no more excuses” for intoxicated drivers.
“Alcohol is one of the major factors in crashes that kill or injure people on NSW roads,” Mr Corboy said.
“The 0.05 blood alcohol limit has been in place for almost 38 years. There are no more excuses.”
Drivers who are found with drugs in their system will also lose their licence and be slapped with the same penalties, so long as lab analysis confirms the results.
Members of the public have taken to news.com.au’s Facebook page to voice their praise over the introduction of the new law, with one user commenting: “About bloody time….. if ur planning to drink, DON’T DRIVE.”
“How it should be” and “100 per cent agree awesome law change, hope it actually sticks” were also among the comments, with one supporter conceding, “It should be Australia wide!”
“Good move. Well done NSW now I hope the rest of the country follow you,” another user wrote.
The blood alcohol limit (BAC) for full licence holders, car or riders, is under 0.05. This limit is the same for fully licenced drivers from overseas.
For those driving public passenger vehicles, including buses and taxis, the limit is 0.02, same for coach and heavy vehicle drivers, and those driving dangerous goods.
Learner and P Plater drivers must have a BAC of zero.
About 68 people died in alcohol-related crashes on NSW roads last year.
Drug-driving resulted in a similar number of deaths.