Released 15/05/2024
The ACT Government has passed the Road Safety Legislation Amendment Bill 2023 to stamp out high risk drink and drug driving behaviour on Canberra’s roads.
“Drink or drug driving is not tolerated on our city’s roads. With these changes we are sending a clear message to the community that if you choose to drive while under the influence of drugs or alcohol you will face an increased penalty that reflects the severity of the risk to other people,” said Minister for Transport Chris Steel.
These laws join a substantial package of reforms over the last several years to tackle high risk driving behaviours and form part of the ACT Government’s review of road transport penalties to ensure they are proportionate both to the risk of harms on our roads and to other offences.
“These new laws will make our transport penalties swifter, stronger and fairer and our roads safer," said Minister Steel.
“ACT Police will be given the power to immediately remove people who choose to drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol by imposing immediate licence suspensions.
“For the first time low-range drink drivers will receive an immediate $800 fine and six-month loss of licence under the new infringement scheme.
“This will mean that for low range drink drivers who accept responsibility, ACT Policing will not be required to attend a court hearing similar to other states including NSW and Victoria.
“This immediate penalty will provide a strong deterrent while at the same time giving ACT Police and the Courts more time to focus on more serious offences and could free up time for ACT Policing to undertake traffic operations targeting dangerous driving behaviours like RBTs.”
Court ordered penalties have also increased significantly, up to $12,000, and an 18-month licence suspension, for high range level 4 drink driving for a first-time offender.
The legislation also creates a new combined drink and drug driving offence for which penalties will be significantly higher than for separate drink and drug driving offences.
“The new offence reflects the research that shows that a fatal crash is 23 times more likely when a person is under the influence of both alcohol and drugs in combination,” said Minister Steel.
“The new laws will also expand roadside testing to include the ability for police to test for cocaine, which is a big step forward in our ability to detect drivers who may be under the influence of an illicit substance when they’re behind the wheel."
The ACT Government is committed to ongoing education, behaviour change programs and safety initiatives to complement the ongoing review of the road transport penalties framework.
Throughout this process we have heard substantial feedback from key stakeholders, including community members and advocates, ACT Policing and the AFP Association.
As part of our ongoing commitment to Vision Zero – no deaths or serious injuries on ACT roads –the ACT Government delivered a community education and awareness campaign over the recent summer holiday period focussing on drink and drug driving.
“The ‘stop it or cop it’ campaign highlighted the Government’s zero tolerance stand on drink and drug driving and remind the community they can be pulled over by ACT Policing anytime, anywhere,” said Minister Steel.
Provisions relating to drink and driving offences will commence in the coming days, once notified on the ACT Legislation Register.
- Statement ends -
Chris Steel, MLA | Media Releases