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Alcohol Interlocks

The Trial

On the 26 June 2008, the State Government announced a six-to-nine-month trial of alcohol interlocks, to commence in mid August 2008. The trial will engage participants in the greater Hobart and Launceston areas.

The trial of alcohol interlocks is one of the new actions to be undertaken under the Tasmanian Road Safety Strategy 2007-2016, funded by the Road Safety Levy.

What is an Alcohol Interlock?

An alcohol interlock is a device that is fitted to a vehicle's ignition that measures the driver's breath for alcohol. The interlock requires the driver to provide a breath sample every time an attempt is made to start the vehicle.

If alcohol is detected and the driver has a Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) over the permitted level, the vehicle's ignition locks and the vehicle is immobilised.

Why an Alcohol Interlock Trial?

Drink driving is a major cause of a large number of fatalities and serious injuries on Tasmanian roads. Between 2000 and 2006, 15.6% of drivers involved in fatal crashes and 10.8% of those involved in serious injury crashes in Tasmania, were alcohol affected.

Current strategies have been successful in reducing the number of crashes involving drink-drivers, and have acted as a general deterrent and increased community awareness.

However, research suggests that there are groups within the community that continue to be over-represented in drink-driving offences and alcohol-related crashes, and this remains a significant road safety issue. Alcohol interlocks may be a means of addressing this overrepresented group.              
                               
What are the outcomes of the Trial?

The trial of alcohol interlocks is designed to bring about three key outcomes:

  • the prevention of trial participants from driving with a BAC;
  • recognition of how an alcohol interlock program might operate in Tasmania; and
  • examine the psychological, sociological, behavioural, practical and administrative impacts of alcohol interlocks in Tasmania.

Tasmania's Trial of Alcohol Interlocks PDF Icon (254 KB) 

For Further information, see Information for Volunteer Participating Drivers or please contact:

The Project Officer, Alcohol Interlocks
Land Transport Safety Policy Branch
Department of Infrastructure Energy and Resources
(03) 6233 2630