New South Wales is looking into a world with zero road trauma with the Road Safety Plan 2021 in place. As part of a long-term commitment to safeguarding lives on the road, the new NSW drink driving laws can help prevent and lessen alcohol-related driving offences and road crashes.
NSW is booming in terms of economic activity. Access, therefore, to services should be safe and unhampered. What are the things to know about NSW drink driving laws? The new law, which took effect 28th of June 2021, has harsher penalties for offending parties. The charges include swift loss of license, higher fines, prison terms, and alcohol interlock disqualification. Devices like BACtrack personal breathalyzers could help drivers avoid such harsh penalties.
The classification of the offence in the new NSW drink driving laws depends on the level of the BAC:
- Low range: Drink driving with a breath alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.05-0.07%. Even if it is just your first offence, you are subject to immediate suspension of license, penalty notice fine of $581, a maximum court-imposed fine of $2,200, and 3 to 6 months driving disqualification. Additionally, subsequent offences are subject to an alcohol interlock order.
- Mid-range: Drink driving with a BAC of 0.08-0.14%. Immediate license suspension, a maximum court-imposed fine of $2,200, a maximum prison term of 9 months, and a minimum driving disqualification of 6 months. A BACtrack personal device could come in handy for knowing your limits.
- High range: Drink driving with a BAC of 0.15% and above. Immediate license suspension, a maximum court-imposed fine of $3,300, a maximum prison term of 18 months, and a minimum driving disqualification of 12 months.
- Combined offence: Drink driving combined with drugs have higher penalties. Immediate license suspension, a maximum court-imposed fine of $5,500, a maximum prison term of 18 months, and a minimum automatic disqualification of 2 years.
NSW Laws: Repeat Penalties and Prevention
The new NSW drink driving laws are expanded to include first and repeating offences of mid-range drink driving to an alcohol interlock order or installing a breathalyzer for car ignition. The interlock or breathalyzer for the car is an electronic breath testing device attached to the car’s ignition. When the breathalyzer registers a positive alcohol BAC reading, the car engine will not start. Taking a self-BAC test with a BACtrack personal breathalyzer before driving could help prevent such a hindrance to one’s life.
Without a doubt, the goals of NSW drink driving laws is to create safer communities by reducing road accidents and fatalities by 30%. You could help yourself and your loved ones to stay safe by carrying your breathalyzers. If you consume alcohol, have a breath test first before driving, with BACtrack’s series of personal and professional breathalyzers. BACtrack works with authorities to deliver safe driving practices on Australian roads.
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