Drink Driving in Australia
Jun 27th 2005, 9:58 am
#1
Guest
Posts: n/a
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
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
Jun 27th 2005, 10:04 am
#2
ah-beng
Joined: Aug 2004
Location: ^.^
Posts: 3,113
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)
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)
Last edited by spalen; Jun 27th 2005 at 10:06 am.
Jun 27th 2005, 10:20 am
#3
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 6,360
Re: Drink Driving in Australia
Originally Posted by spalen
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)
Jun 27th 2005, 10:35 am
#4
BE Forum Addict
Joined: May 2004
Location: Brisbane
Posts: 1,131
Re: Drink Driving in Australia
Originally Posted by ABCDiamond
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
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
Jun 27th 2005, 10:37 am
#5
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 315
Re: Drink Driving in Australia
Originally Posted by bridiej
I agree, really dont know why in the UK they dont clamp down harder on drink driving!
Due to the civil liberties groups.
Imagine the outcry if the police closed the motorway to breathtest all drivers...?
....."Police state"
Jun 27th 2005, 10:51 am
#6
Cleveland, Bayside
Joined: Sep 2004
Location: Bayside, Brissy
Posts: 1,595
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.
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.
Jun 27th 2005, 10:56 am
#7
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 11,149
Re: Drink Driving in Australia
Originally Posted by spalen
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)
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)
Jun 27th 2005, 12:18 pm
#8
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2004
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 400
Re: Drink Driving in Australia
Originally Posted by ABCDiamond
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
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
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 !
Jun 27th 2005, 12:23 pm
#9
Breast Inspector
Joined: Feb 2005
Location: On the road
Posts: 1,770
Re: Drink Driving in Australia
Originally Posted by bondipom
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.
Revenge is sweet isn't it.....
Jun 27th 2005, 12:56 pm
#10
MODERATOR
Joined: Nov 2002
Location: Redneck Wonderland
Posts: 9,932
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.
Jun 27th 2005, 1:19 pm
#11
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: May 2004
Location: Birkdale QLD
Posts: 7,642
Re: Drink Driving in Australia
Originally Posted by spalen
, Drink Drivers should be dumped on an island somewhere along with muppet parents who drive without kids seatbelted.(just not my island)
JTL
Jun 27th 2005, 1:29 pm
#12
da Bonehead
Joined: Jan 2004
Location: Lion in da jungle
Posts: 22,767
Re: Drink Driving in Australia
Originally Posted by JackTheLad
Agreed, but I think you should lay off your DVDs of 'The Prisoner' . Its not real, and you are not Patrick McGoohan
JTL
JTL
Jun 27th 2005, 1:56 pm
#13
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: May 2004
Location: Birkdale QLD
Posts: 7,642
Re: Drink Driving in Australia
Originally Posted by Bix
I am not a number....
I imagined you as a number 2.
JTL
Jun 27th 2005, 2:03 pm
#14
da Bonehead
Joined: Jan 2004
Location: Lion in da jungle
Posts: 22,767
Re: Drink Driving in Australia
Originally Posted by JackTheLad
I imagined you as a number 2.
JTL
JTL
Bollox
Jun 27th 2005, 2:28 pm
#15
Gone surfin'
Joined: Apr 2005
Location: Bangkok & Perth
Posts: 206
Re: Drink Driving in Australia
Originally Posted by cresta57
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.