Alcohol interlock legislation passes in WA Parliament

The worst drink driving offenders in Western Australia will be forced to install breath testing immobilisers in their vehicles after alcohol interlock legislation passed through state parliament this week.

WA Road Safety Minister Liza Harvey said after a decade of talk about alcohol interlocks, the Liberal National Government had taken tough action on drink drivers.

“This legislation will target those drink drivers who fail to get the message that their irresponsible actions kill,” Harvey said.

The Minister said the devices would be fitted to vehicles once drivers served their drink driving penalty time without a licence and would remain in place for at least six months.

“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,” she said.

The  scheme will capture first-time offenders convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol and repeat drink drivers who have been convicted of two or more drink driving offences within a five-year period.

Drivers may have to give repeat breath tests throughout their journey. Repeat offenders will also be directed to an alcohol counselling program.

The WA Office of Road Safety will continue working on regulations and anticipate having the interlock scheme in place within 12-18 months.

Alcohol is reportedly a factor in about one quarter of fatal crashes and one in 10 serious injury crashes on Western Australian roads.

Harvey said that since 2008, the rate of fatalities in WA had dropped 23%, but no death on the roads should be accepted.

The Minister said the Liberal National Government would remain relentless in further reducing road trauma through safer roads, enforcement and education.