Tougher Drink Drive and Excessive Speed Penalties

Immediate loss of licence for driving with a blood alcohol level of 0.08 or more, and for the offence of excessive speeding, are effective from 1 December 2005.

High-level drink driving (0.08 and above) remains the most significant problem in alcohol related crashes, while the total annual cost to the community of deaths and serious injuries caused by excessive speed is estimated to be around $100 million.

Statistics show that 36 per cent of fatally injured drivers and riders had an illegal level of alcohol in their blood and that excessive speed was a factor in up to 20 per cent of fatal crashes.

Following the introduction of full time Mobile Random Breath Testing in South Australia in June 2005, new heavier penalties for drink driving have been introduced from 1 December 2005, which include:

• Immediate loss of licence for six months if you blow 0.08 - 0.149
• Immediate loss of licence for 12 months if you blow 0.15 or more

Demerit points and fines will also continue to apply to drink driving offences and the Court may also impose greater periods of disqualification for drink driving offences.

Loss of licence for second and subsequent offences also applies if you blow 0.05 – 0.079.

Additionally from 1 December 2005, a new offence of excessive speeding will also apply to drivers and motorcyclists caught traveling at 45km/h or more above the speed limit. The following penalties will be incurred:

• Automatic loss of licence for six months
• Six demerit points
• Expiation fee of $500

Research by the Centre for Automotive Safety Research (CASR) tells us that the risk of crashing and the severity of a crash is greater with increases in speed.

The new changes were recommended and supported by the Road Safety Advisory Council.

The Government’s tough stance on drink driving and excessive speed will help South Australia achieve its State Strategic Plan target of reducing road fatalities by 40 per cent by 2010.

For more information on Road Safety Initiatives:
Road safety initiatives