Alcohol ignition interlocks for Queensland’s drink drivers

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By Tim Beissmann | December 06th, 2010

New laws introduced in Queensland today will force high-risk drink drivers to pay for alcohol ignition interlock systems to be installed in their vehicles.

The interlock devices will be fitted to the vehicles of drivers who: refuse a breath test or blood test, record a blood-alcohol content of more than 0.15, are charged with dangerous driving while affected by alcohol, and are caught drink driving twice within five years.

Alcohol ignition interlock systems require drivers to provide a clean blood-alcohol sample before the car will start.

The interlock system will apply to drivers charged with drink driving offences after August 6 2010 and will remain connected to offenders’ vehicles for 12 months.

Queensland Premier Anna Bligh confirmed the interlock system would cost around $2000. Those who refused to have a device installed in their car would be banned from driving for 24 months.

Around Queensland 900 drivers have been charged since August and will have an ‘I’ printed onto their licence to represent the special condition.

More than 20 percent of Queensland’s 2009 road toll was linked to drink driving, with 71 people dying in accidents caused by drink drivers.

confused

When will governments start treating drink driving as serious as hooning and impound the offenders cars?
Can anyone explain why spinning your wheels is considered a more dangerous offence than drink driving?
UMWHAT

cant you get someone else to breathe in it for you

http://Isuzu BarryHamburger

I wanna know this too.. If you can, this is epic fail!

milobob

but if there is someone in your group who is not over hte limit… they should drive. If you grab a random that is another story… though it will be on their conscience if you die…

MJ

perhaps they could use an a$$ recognition system?
http://www.ozmazdaclub.com Tien – OzMazdaClub.com

technically yes you can
SAYWHAT

How about using “custom-fit” portable & low powered electric pump or… a baloon containing clean air to trick the device? Is it possible?

Falkman

These devices are actually calibrated in a way that makes it basically impossible to do what you’re suggesting SAYWHAT. They’re set up specifically for the individual being targeted so will take into account the persons physical characteristics, the speed and pressure at which the are is entering the unit, and the properties of the air coming into it.
So now, a low pressured electric pump or baloon containing clean are would not work.

Anthony

You actually have to blow and then suck for a bit at the end of to make sure you don’t use a balloon. They also randomly ask for another test while you’re driving to make sure someone else didn’t help you start the car.

Biker

If the government was serious about the COST of accidents, they would make freely available breath testers to public venues. But heaven forbids they must spend money they will not recoup. (speed cameras being a point in case)

Andrew M

So they can be used to see who can get the highest print out??
You are also sugesting someone who blows .15 had no idea they would have been over

LOL

Imagine taking a chick home from the Pub, errr, just a minute while I blow into this thing so I can take you home! LOL
davie

This would have to be a Labor initiative.

Addressing the symptoms of a problem rather than the actual cause – big tick
Not actually taking proper action – tick
Nanny state solution – tick
Taking responsibility away from the individual – tick
Making the govt somehow responsible for a private individuals problem – tick
Involving the govt responsibility if something goes wrong – tick
Opening the govt (taxpayer) to lawsuits if it fails and the driver then kills someone – tick
Overley complex Expensive technology solution, supplier is probably owned by the wife of a MP – tick

Ahhh Labor gross incompetence sooooooo repeditive and easy to predict what will happen. Really, its like shooting fish in a barrel…

John Howard

couldn’t have said it better

JabbaTheHutt

“Hey son I’ll buy you some grog and cigarettes for your 15th bithday if you blow in my ignition”.
stuzz

Cheaper to cop the revolked licence and keep driving as long as you only get booked unlicenced driving once while suspended? Not saying its a good idea but people who drink drive are already willing to take the chance….
frog

I recently gone drink driving for 12 months,$700 fine lost my independance, job, and house, I have not drivin since and due to get it back in 7 weeks, but only to have to pay another $45 per week to have the interlock in havent i and those suffered enough I think the interlock is another ridiculos ploy by the goverment for more money!!!!!!!!!!!!! NOT IMPRESSED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

badger

me too! only found out with 2 weeks to go until ban was finished! qld transport said i should have known as there were posters in the courts! which is a lie! when i handed my licence back at start of ban asked if i would have anything like this happen they said no! gonna lose my job too now as my work stood by me thinking i would get licence back but now have another 12 months of not being able to drive a vehicle for them means that i get the sack im prepared to do it in my private vehicle but cant afford for another vehicle
Jehn Russ

I agree ,revenue raising at its worst.It doesnt take a genius to figure, loss of licence usualy means loss of job. So how do you get a new job to pay the fine and buy the breath unit?

Patrick

this is a bit silly, why do we allow cars to break the law in the first place by being able to go faster than the speed limit. second why dont all cars have this so while driving it takes your breath sample and test you before you start up..that way someone trying to do the right thing can get a test done to let them know they are over the limit and shouldnt drive, instead of trying to decide if they are over the limit while they are impared preventing them from being able to decide. if your drunk how do you know your drunk, your impared.
http://www.interlocknw.com Eric Myers

Interesting article. I fully support the use of ignition interlock devices for those caught drinking and driving. Although it can be a high cost up front, I think it can really help to teach a valuable lesson that will really stick with those involved.

Jehn Russ

What if the only car in the family belongs to the offenders spouses company?. They are not going to allow it fitted to the car.
Jayman

your a wanker…

Jehn Russ

After a series of events(family deaths ,job loss ,and near divorce) a 53 year old woman with a 35 year clean driving record gets put on anti depressants wich effect clear thought drinks more than she ever does and loses her licence for 7 months pluss a $1200 fine.Now the 7 months are up and a new licence cost $395 for 1 year and she has to find another $2000 for this B/S interlock system,and on top of that they charge to remove the thing after 12 months. The customer service people at main roads can tell her nothing i.e where do i get one or who fits them on the Gold Coast.I am againsts drink driving as are most people with a functioning brain cell, but surley this is unfair and lumping first offenders and serial idiots together.
Unhappy

After serving a 15 month and $1500 suspension for DD, I thought I had served my punishment. The government thought different, as i went to get my licence back and now an interlock must be fitted at a cost to me, that is greater than my actual DD fine. Well done to the genius that came up with this money grabbing idea, a pedophile or rapist gets a lesser punishment.
Muffin6936

this is a jk i lost my licence a year ago 1400 dollar fine , 250 dollars to get my licence back then went to get my licence back the other day had herd nothing about this court didnt tell me this is my first and last drink driving offence i had lernt my lesson with out the un known addition of this thing for another 12 months and money it costs no happy at all ask any non alcholic person who stuffs up and drink drives and drives 2 blocks and loses their licence how much they regret it not being able to go to the supermarket or do any little thing for a year trust me its punisment and i would never do it again this is a money making thing pure and simple
Motoman

sooo what if you ride a motorbike???