Random Breath Tests
 

Random Breath Tests in Queensland:

Just on the news today, in the last 2 weeks 205,000 random breath tests were carried out in Queensland, and 1,606 people were caught driving over the limit.

That is almost 8 out of every 1,000 Queensland drivers who were driving over the limit, during the extended Christmas period.

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Japan has very strict limits, the default is zero and not far up the scale its an automatic 12 months in jail unless you are rich. Their driving tests are very hard with much theory covering not just driving but car maintenance emphasising diagnosis of problems that can cause danger, you would do very well to qualify in 18 months there. With all this they still have some terrible drivers, might be that they become over confident. I have read that people who take advanced driving courses tend to have more insurance claims.

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Strangely never been tested.. Got a feeling the cops go to bed at 8pm with everyone else.

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I was tested when I was over in Aus last July....road block and about 20 cops, lights flashing, 'drug squad' vans etc. Never come across anything like this is the UK. Quite scary until I realised what is was!

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Past 2 road side efforts near Castle Hill, didn't get waved in either time.....

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Been tested a few times here in Perth, always when you never expect it.
One night about 2.00am on the way to the airport there was a booze bus and they often set up at Whitfords Beach where I live, so get tested if driving.

Personally, I think it's fantastic, should do it in the UK. I never drank and drove in the UK but also I never go tested, meaning more people might be tempted to risk it and drive when over the limit. Knowing there could be a Booze Bus around the corner is a great deterrent.

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But i was the non drinker at Christmas and got pulled coming out of the pub, i don't mind as i never drink and drive so it was not a problem.

Kerry.

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We got pulled over in NSW... not a prob as werent over the limit..

I am very single minded on DD... if you have had a pint then don't bother driving... either drink at home or leave the car at home..

Em x

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A friends dad told me yesterday that he crashed a car a few years ago, he had fallen asleep behind the wheel while clutching a bottle of beer, pissed out of his head.

Personally I cannot believe how many people in Perth think it is acceptable to drink and drive, saying that 'they drive better' or 'they are in control' and other such shite.

Or 'we can never get a taxi' kind of crap to justify driving their car when they know full well they will be drinking.

Last week they had loads of roadblocks where we live and booze buses and lots of people stopped and breath tested.

Something isnt working though, it goes on, nothing seems to deter people from doing it and what is more, from justifying it.

Perhaps if every person that thinks it is OK to drink and drive, lost a loved one by a drunk driver, they might think differently.

Another friend admitted driving home after our xmas party completely pissed up, people laughed and some said 'good on you my son'. Perhaps they are thick, perhaps their intellect has sunk down at the same time their stupidity rose to new levels - or perhaps they just cant help it - being a plank.

Oh to depend on alcohol so much that you have to break the law to get your 'fix' and genuinely believe that you won't ever knock anyone down and of course you are not at risk because you are super human and the best driver in the world.

Out of interest, I wonder how many people were killed through drunk driving last year and how many lives were ruined as a result :mad:

And that rant was dedicated to a good family friend who had his life taken by one such idiot who I do believe is still enjoying his life.:o

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I also think it's a great idea.
Also wish they did it in the UK...would surely act as a great deterrent

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Only ever been breath tested once and that was at Whitfords beach also, Been waved on twice at the same spot. Think there should be more of them far too many pissed up drivers on the road. Its a shame that most that get caught only get banned for 3 months.
What i can't get over is the fact they can appeal and get an E Plate "Extraordinary License" after being caught for pissy driving but you can't get if you get banned for speeding.
Seems that Pissy Driving is ok and speeding is worse :huh:

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Having worked in Ambulance and having dealt with parents and youngsters saying "if only"... my tolerance is low with drink driving. First patient that ever died on me was during when I was still studying nursing in Finland, 2 yr kid playing on front lawn, DD comes to his road and wiped him off infront of his mum. Never want to experience that again from any side of the fence, as a parent, driver or as a nurse. Trully shocking.

As for punishment in Oz, our former property manager was named and shamed in local paper for drag racing on main stip, over 100km/h on 50km area (before the hoon laws), blew 0.2121 and got fined $900 plus 4 wks later she showed up to ours to do property inspection wearing E plates.... Let her know exactly what I thought of her actions, not that she liked my reaction but had to say it!

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Hmmm, an agent we know said he has crawled to his car under the influence before, said with a huge element of pride on his face.

I think EVERYONE that drink drives is a fully paid up member of the 'Mrs Palm and her five lovely daughters' Club.

I told a guy at work that admitted to doing it, to imagine a copper knocking on his door to say his 13 year old kid had been taken out by a DD.

'Thats a bit harsh' he said shocked that I was so graphic.

'yes but you would still think it worth the risk' I snapped back at him.

The emergency services/doctors/nurses are the ones that pick up the pieces of this habit and its the families that pay the price forever.

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Just been watching them from the window not far from North Stradbroke ferry terminal so beware people they do tend to turn up at the least most expected spots;) Results out of about 50-60 i saw them testing ,2 people given sheets of paper for whatever reason and 1 carted off in the UNMARKED police car (a female ):ohmy: for what i assume was being OTT

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I have been tested loads of times. Once I was tested in remote roads near Exmouth (mid WA) on my way to buy milk....10 mins later they were checking the other side of the road and I was tested again! Apparently they catch loads of fishermen this way.
I was also tested on my way to hospital to be induced- young copper was very nice and wished me well!

The driving/drinking culture is definitely alive and kicking- see the number of abandoned cars after a blitz on the Westgate Bridge.

I was annoyed to read in the paper today that some supposedly famous bloke (Dermot Brereton) was pissed on NYE, so got a bike out the back of his car and rode home. Surely this is also illegal? If he fell off and under someone's wheels, how would the other person feel. Can't understand why this was held up as a 'good thing"

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Was tested on christmas eve on Oxford St in Sydney at around 10.30pm. They have weird devices here. you just count into it instead of blow. Luckily i knew how to count to 10.

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Lots of booze buses in adelaide that operate sat and sunday morning til 11 to catch you from the night before..
Great idea - makes you think twice.

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been tested 12 times in 11 months

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I think it's a great idea - stopped 4 times (twice after a late shift at 23.30) - incredibly there was a news piece in the local paper about people complaining about their cars that they have to abandon being vandalised and wanting the police to take responsibility:eek:

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Always gonna get those, blame someone else etc.... been meaning to PM you to see how Ella is ! Hope all is good with the family!

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I've been breath tested twice in 6 months... once outside a school on a side street which really surprised me at 9.30am .... the lady copper said 'have you had a drink this morning' I replied 'What? For breakfast???' - she laughed.... and all was good.

Then was tested on the 23rd December in a different spot - again fine.

They always make me nervous even though i dont drink and drive but they seem very friendly over here and have a sense of humour so enjoy the banter :-)

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the police seem to be very much on the ball regarding breath testing , it will make people think twice [ including myself ] regarding having a beer after work , then driving the morning after , i dont think i will be using mouth wash any more either ,does anybody know the tolerence difference between the uk and oz , cheers .

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I don't think the police in the UK have anywhere near enough staff to do this on a regular basis...


S

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My wife breath tests me every night,to check i didnt mistake the pub for the gym:eek:

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0.05 in Oz
0.08 in UK

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Surely a drunk driver is 1000's of times more dangerous to the public, that a drunk cyclist? Choosing to cycle home, instead of driving, seems to be pretty sensible to me. (using public transport or taxi would be the best option though).

cheers

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The UK has an offence of drunk in charge of a pedal cycle (and in charge of a horse). I'm sure that over-governed Australia has something similar...


S

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Only time I have been RBT'd was when out on my boat - stopped by the water police on a Saturday lunch time....its the same limit for driving a boat as car.

I would never go to the pub and then get in my car, but driving the morning after does worry me, especially the lower limit between UK and Oz.

A friend of ours blew exactly 0.05 the morning after. He went to court and the judge put him on a good driving order rather than a ban because he needs to drive for work and he was so near the limit.

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Been tested four times in four years here in Oz but not once back in England. I was tested twice in one night a few years ago on Ipswich Road once going in to Brisbane CBD to drop the missus at her xmas party and then tested again coming out on Ipswich Road after picking her up many hours later. Im sad to say that drink driving seems to not carry the stigma it should in Oz and I know far to many people who openly admit to it.

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I have driven past lots of RBTs but never been stopped. I guess my car is too boring and the targetting is not quite that random.

I used to cycle drunk as a student but have since grown up and found taxis much easier. 2 small children are also a great deterrent to any drinking as they provide better torture than Guantanamo to the hungover.

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Agreed, we have driven past lots in our camper van over Christmas and never been stopped. They probably feel sorry for us, but on Princes Highway between Batemans Bay and Nowra on Saturday they were just pulling 10 cars in at a time...but only the ones in the inside lane...so to avoid the RBT, just drive in the outside lane!

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Pity they don't have random idiot tests. Idiots cause far more accidents than drunks.

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There would certainly be a lot less accidents on BE;)

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They should test for drugs too. I wonder how many drive under the influence of weed- or worse???

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They do in Vic. Test for cannabis, methampetamine and mdma.

VicPol are amongs the only police force in th world to use the roadside saliva tests.

"Of the 29,911 drivers tested last year, 327 tested positive to drugs. This compares to 369, or one in 59, in 2007. "

http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/sto...75-661,00.html

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That must be defo a gender thing then 'cos they come across as bunch of misserable buggers everytime I get stopped... and I have been stopped well over a dozen times

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I agree. Every contact I have had with the NSW police has left me yearning for the good old British Bobby. There's certainly no touchy feely side to law enforcement here...


S

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Yeah well i've got the better of the buggers,i dont own a car:sneaky:

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What is the difference?

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Everyone knows the rules about what the legal alcohol limit is to drive. If you want your licence then dont get caught out - stay sober or catch a cab. Them that get caught drink driving only have themselves to blame.

If you have a drip, see a plumber.

Barney:thumbup:

PS There should be more of the Booze buses around Australia.