Page 5303 - Week 17 - Thursday, 13 December 1990

Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .


in the reduction of the road toll. As in all things, some groups are more at risk than others. In regard to drink-driving, a person more at risk of being involved in an accident is one who is still mastering one of the most complex skills we regularly practise in our society, namely, driving.

Research has established beyond reasonable doubt that novice drivers are more likely to be involved in a road accident and disproportionately more likely to be involved if they also have been drinking. The Government's unambiguous message to young novice drivers is that they should not drink at all if they are going to drive. The .02 enforcement level is intended solely to permit the residual effects of alcohol based medicines. The Government's intention with .02 is that these drivers will not drink at all and drive. This measure, therefore, operates as a deterrent and, at the same time, has an educative function so that young people will be instructed from the outset by society at large that drinking and driving just do not mix. They will be trained from the start that, even when they come to be seen as experienced drivers, they must lower their alcohol intake if they are intending to drive. I believe that this message will assist them in later life.

There is also another very important group in our society of whom we expect professional and responsible behaviour. These are the drivers who carry passengers for hire and reward, or who drive the largest vehicles on the roads. Accordingly, it is also important that drivers of heavy vehicles and public vehicles be required to maintain a high sense of responsibility towards the safety of other users and to the passengers that they are carrying. The .02 limit that applies to drivers of heavy vehicles and public vehicles while they are driving reinforces their responsibility. Again, .02 merely allows for residual medicinal alcohol. This applies to taxi drivers, hire car drivers, bus drivers, coach drivers, drivers of heavy vehicles and drivers of dangerous goods. This Bill is in no way discriminatory in regard to this group of people. They are very special service providers. I know that the very great majority of them would not contemplate drinking and driving.

The new blood alcohol limits are in line with those in neighbouring States. However, I understand that the Northern Territory will not be reducing their blood alcohol level from .08 to .05. I also understand that, while Western Australia will actually be introducing it, it seems unlikely that they will end up with the level reduced from .08 to .05. However, at least the remaining States in Australia will go down the path and will all have a similar situation where .05 will be the norm.


Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .