Drink Driving in Australia
 

Be prepared when you arrive in Australia, to be random breath tested for drink driving with a bit more frequency than it happens in the UK.

The number of Breath Tests carried out in England and Wales in 2003 was 534,000, for a population of 54.4 million

The number of Breath Tests carried out in NSW alone in 2003 was 2,660,000 for a population of only 6.6 million.

About 5 times the number of tests for about one tenth the population = almost 50 times more likely to be tested.

Something to consider !!

However, the number of "positive" results were only just over 1% at 27,300 for the year.

True "positive" comparisons to the UK figures can not be made, as the UK only tests specific targets, accidents, traffic violations etc. And consequently the "positive" results have a higher % at 19.85% in 2003, and 14.83% in 1993.

info from: http://www.rospa.com/roadsafety/info/drink_drive.pdf
and http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/...?from=storyrhs

Re: Drink Driving in Australia
 

Good point - they really crack down on it.

I can attest to the random testing, having been tested myself at 23:30 driving mrs sp back from the last ladies night out, I was of course sober as the proverbial (although the fumes from the passenger side were beginning to have an effect).

They shut the whole road - all 3 lanes of it - and divert every single car into be tested , no licences shown or anything - just breathalysed and on your way. They had caught 2 or 3 guys infront of us that were being knicked.

And good job too, Drink Drivers should be dumped on an island somewhere along with muppet parents who drive without kids seatbelted.(just not my island)

Re: Drink Driving in Australia
 

I agree, really dont know why in the UK they dont clamp down harder on drink driving!

Re: Drink Driving in Australia
 

My hubby was pulled over and breathalised at the weekend. He had no worries though as he hadn't touched a drop. I must admit I think it is good that they are strict about drink driving.

Re: Drink Driving in Australia
 

Due to the civil liberties groups.

Imagine the outcry if the police closed the motorway to breathtest all drivers...?

....."Police state"

Re: Drink Driving in Australia
 

Totally agree with this, infact other countries should take note of this and maybe it'll reduce the death toll globally. The trouble is people who drink drive and result in no accidents believe everything is fine and they drive fine drunk or not.
Wot they need to do is visit the A&E, ICU departments and see the devastation caused to families,perhaps screening true uncut trauma events on TV more often might help reduce drink driving.
I also believe random breath testing police prior to starting duty should be done as there is a law for them and us.

Re: Drink Driving in Australia
 

I have passed plenty of RBTs but never been pulled over. On christmas morning a ute aggressively pulled in front of me because of a jam. Little did he (or I know) there was an RBT ahead causing the jam. The ute got the last bay for the RBT and the cops waved us on.

Re: Drink Driving in Australia
 

On the recent public holiday I was driving the mrs to work at some ungodly early hour and saw the police close all 3 lines of the Princes Highway in the other direction - obviously trying to catch those who celebrated too hard the night before. Not being sure whats left behing in the system I decided to take a different route home just in case !

Re: Drink Driving in Australia
 

Revenge is sweet isn't it..... :)

Re: Drink Driving in Australia
 

Police also have an unwritten rule here and that is if your out after 7pm in a tradies Ute expect to get a pull. I've been pulled over quite a few times the last time was as the other poster said returning from the girls night out in Brissie. All three lanes closed and everyone breath tested even an ambulance driver. Top idea IMO, though if you are caught you get to apply for a permit to drive to work and only cop a couple of months ban for a first offence seems very lenient.

Re: Drink Driving in Australia
 

Agreed, but I think you should lay off your DVDs of 'The Prisoner' . Its not real, and you are not Patrick McGoohan :p

JTL

Re: Drink Driving in Australia
 

I am not a number....

Re: Drink Driving in Australia
 

I imagined you as a number 2.

JTL

Re: Drink Driving in Australia
 

That is extremely witty JTL.

Bollox :D

Re: Drink Driving in Australia
 

Not sure about QLD, but in WA its three months for 0.08 - 0.15(?) and those 'work only' permits are pretty hard to get. Basically you'd have to be at risk of losing your job to get one. Just needing one to get to work isn't a good enough reason, you need to drive as part of your job and not have any other alternative.