ALCOHOL INTERLOCKS IN AUSTRALIA 2007 – The views expressed are those of Chris Coxon and may not represent those of DT

1. WHAT CAN WE DO TO MAKE THEM REALLY WORK? ALCOHOL INTERLOCKS IN AUSTRALIA 2007 –The views expressed are those of Chris Coxon and may not represent those of DTEI.

2. What's Going on? • Australia has 3 states with operating alcohol interlock programs. They have, • 62 percent of the Australian population • 420 alcohol related road deaths a year • 29,000 drink drive court cases each year • 4000 are using interlocks

3. The Problem • Major drink-drive issues in every state • High representation in accident statistics • High cost to communities • High cost to health systems • High cost to Judicial systems • High cost of custodial sentences • High social costs to FAMILIES

4. Detected Dui Offences

5. What have we been doing?

6. INTERLOCK BEST PRACTICE 2001 Montreal Symposium • Must have education, counselling and regular assessment or progress while using an interlock • Clear legislation and regulations for interlock time • Interlocks used must be certified to standards • Reliable and knowledgeable service providers • Mandatory interlocks for BAC >.08 drink drive offence • Interlock program run by driver license administration • Regular monitoring of offenders • Duration on interlock related to success of compliance • Interlock time dependent on counselling prior to full license

7. What’s not happening

8. SITUATION • We know the problem • We know the solutions • It’s User Pay • We have the technology………………. • We have the demand…… So, why isn’t it working?

9. Here’s Why it isn’t Working! Legislation Low priority by individual staff Program design Low commitment by office bearers Low involvement of stakeholders Min funding Interlock program Low priority of Administration Min promotion by authorities Min communication plan between authorities Min knowledge of interlocks in the community Service Delivery

10. So, What should we do? Establish, develop a continuous improvement cycle • Communication and cooperation between police, prosecutors, judges/magistrates, court administrators motor vehicle staff, service providers, medical professionals, counsellors and researchers. • Training and education for all professional groups • Use of proven techniques and technologies that can improve detection, processing and supervision of drink drive offenders. • Standardisation of record keeping between agencies, identify any loopholes and implement changes.

11. The Future of Interlocks in Australia Depends on • legislators adopting 2007 best practice items • Improved interlock program design to best practice • Mandatory programs for all offenders >BAC.08 • Early interlock availability to reduce the chance of drivers learning to drive unlicensed • Improved license checking for unlicensed drivers • Effective sanctions for unlicensed & disqualified driving • Reduce alcohol advertising, tackle binge drinking, and deglamorise alcohol • More involvement of the responsible authorities and officials • Get MADD active in Australia

12. BEST INTERLOCK PROGRAM DESIGN FEATURES 2007-2008 • License disqualification immediate at time of drink drive offence • Mandatory program for all drink drive offenders • Education and promotion risks of drink driving • Minimum time from license disqualification before eligible for interlock license • Counselling program mandatory for rehabilitation • Minimum cost to interlock users plus low income subsidy scheme • Last 6 month interlock download data free breath test BAC > 0.02 • Recidivism records assessed over 10 years • Mandatory completion of the ordered program • Effective enforcement programs plus programs and sanctions to discourage offenders from driving unlicensed

13. Managing Drink Drive Offenders who do not to fit an interlock Implement a program to manage transport needs of offenders who claim: • No access to a vehicle • Has sold their vehicle and no longer is driving • Chooses not to fit an interlock after a reasonable time but retains ownership or access to a vehicle Is the option of house arrest available? • Should the offender’s vehicle be immobilised, or impounded? • Should repeat drink driving unlicensed offender’s vehicles be forfeited to the State? • Effective enforcement of license suspension by Police

14. Alcohol abuse is destroying youth, so let’s deglamorise it Media June 4 2007, TheAustralian Newspaper , Ross Fitzgerald • As a nation we are ignoring all the warnings about alcohol abuse • It is destroying communities, damaging and destroying lives unabated • Apply some of the zeal applied to the anti smoking cause could be enlisted in a concerted fight against alcohol abuse and misuse.

15. Turning a blind eye to alcohol addiction It’s a disgrace that public policy is so soft on this most harmful of drugs • alcohol addiction treatment works, but is poorly funded • alcohol industry and advertising profit by its use • alcohol taxes are good income for government Ref Australian newspaper Dec 4 2006 page 8

16. Thanks • TIRF, and their informed publications • Alcohol interlock symposiums that publish research leading program designers to best practice • Researchers who present the facts • Contributors to previous interlock symposiums for their encouragement • Interlock suppliers for their knowledge of customers using interlocks