by Angus Edwards
NSW Drivers convicted of serious or repeat drink driving
offences will face new penalties and will be required to fix
alcohol Interlock devices to their vehicles. For offences committed
on or after 1 February 2015, drivers convicted of driving with a
high range prescribed concentration of alcohol ("PCA")
and second and subsequent Novice, Special, Low and Mid Range PCA
offences will face a minimum licence disqualification period and a
minimum 12 month participation in the Interlock program.
The interlock has been available for many years and is an
electronic breath testing device which attaches to a motor
vehicle's ignition which prevents the vehicle being operated
unless the driver is detected as having a zero blood alcohol
reading. According to Roads and Maritime Services approximately
6,000 convicted drink drivers will be affected by the program. If
convicted drivers fail to participate in the program a
disqualification period of at least 5 years
