High-range drink drivers will face interlocks for five years
Queensland drivers who record a blood alcohol reading of 0.1 and above will have to use a car interlocking breath test system if they want to drive in the next five years.
The new rules mean the interlocking program will be expanded to include those caught in the āmid-rangeā, as well as an extension of the sit-out period for drivers who donāt participate from two-to-five years.
Mid-range drink-drivers account for more than a quarter of all offenders and have a crash risk 20 times higher compared to a zero blood alcohol level, Transport Minister Mark Bailey said.
āLast year, 62 people died on Queensland roads because of drink-drivers. The year before it was 46 people,ā Bailey said.
āSadly, these numbers could be even worse this year, with the number of lives lost far too high.ā
Drivers will have to show āa clean record of breath for at least 12 monthsā, Bailey told state parliament on Thursday.
Additionally, all drivers caught over the limit will have to complete an education program before theyāre allowed back on the road.
āResearch shows education programs reduce the rate of re-offending,ā he said.
First time drink-drivers must complete an online education course while repeat offenders will be subjected to a āmore intensive, multi sessionā program.
The tougher penalties come as Queensland prepares to implement fines for those caught on camera using mobile phones or not wearing seatbelts.
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āIn the first month of this rollout, almost 1400 drivers were snapped not wearing a seatbelt,ā Bailey said
A three month grace period, during which drivers caught doing the wrong thing are warned, began in late July.
From November, those caught using their phones will be fined more than $1000.
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