Motorists considering a night out have been urged to have a ‘Plan B’ and don’t think that one more for the road won’t put you over the limit.
This follows the launch of NSW Police’s Operation Drink Drive 2 where officers will target alcohol impaired drivers between Friday, November 2 and Sunday, November 4.
Traffic and Highway Patrol Command Acting Assistant Commissioner Julie Middlemiss said police want drivers to remember that it’s “no more for the road.”
“The dangers are well documented but police are astounded so many people still think it is okay to have one more for the road.
“This is evidenced by the 6331 motorists who were detected with a low range blood alcohol content reading during the 2017-2018 financial year.
“One more drink for the road can make the difference between arriving at home or arriving at a police station.
“During Operation Drink Drive 2, motorists can expect an increased police presence on major roadways and back streets.
“The effect of alcohol on a driver’s ability to drive safely is well documented but every day we are still detecting drivers who put themselves and others at risk by drinking and driving,” Acting Assistant Commissioner Middlemiss said.
NSW Centre for Road Safety executive director Bernard Carlon said while great reductions have been achieved in reducing drink driving rates through random breath testing and education campaigns, drink driving remains a major cause of trauma on NSW roads, especially in the country.
“Even if you’ve just had one drink your driving can be affected by alcohol.
“If you’re driving on a high-speed country road – the difference between life and death is just a small impairment in your reaction time or decision making.
“In 2017, 55 people lost their lives in alcohol related crashes in NSW, with 69 per cent of these fatalities in the country. This is simply unacceptable when we think of the families and communities that are affected by this tragic loss.
“Our message is simple, if you’re planning to have a drink – have a ‘Plan B’,” Mr Carlon said.
During the 2017/2018 financial year, 645 women and 2227 men were charged with high range drink driving.
1354 women and 4977 men charged with mid-range drink driving offences.
1392 women and 5816 men were charged with low range drink driving offences.
During Operation Drink Drive 2 in 2017, 427 people were charged with drink driving and 151,548 random breath tests were conducted.
