JESSICA CORTIS
MAY 20, 2019
The Australian
From midnight tonight, anyone caught drink driving on NSW roads will lose their licence on the spot.
The strict new laws, which were passed through parliament in September and come into effect tonight, will see low-range drink drivers face an immediate three-month licence suspension and a $561 fine.
Those caught driving with drugs in their system will also suffer the same penalty if positive results are returned in a laboratory test.
Previously, all NSW drivers charged with drink driving were required to attend court to have their penalty determined. Drivers who were charged with a low-range offence did not lose their licence immediately, and were able to continue to drive until their court date.
Roads Minister Andrew Constance said the reforms reflected a zero-tolerance approach to drink and drug driving.
“This reform makes it clear if you break the law, you will pay the price,” he said
“Anyone caught drink driving in NSW, at any level, including low-range, can now lose their licence immediately,” the minister said in a statement.
Assistant Police Commissioner Michael Corboy said the reforms would ensure swift and certain penalties.
“Alcohol is one of the major factors in crashes that kill or injure people on NSW roads,” Assistant Commissioner Corboy said.
“The 0.05 blood alcohol limit has been in place for almost 38 years. There are no more excuses.”
The Centre for Road safety estimates drink driving to be a factor in about one in every seven fatal crashes in NSW.
With AAP
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