Alcohol interlocks mandatory for NZ drink drivers

New Zealand drink drivers will soon be forced to have devices installed in their cars to stop them from driving over the limit.

The alcohol interlocks stop drivers from starting their car if they are over the legal limit

On 9 August, Associate Transport Minister Craig Foss announced that alcohol interlock sentences will soon become mandatory for serious and repeat drink driving offenders.

Anyone convicted of two or more offences within five years will have one of the locks installed in their car.

Alcohol interlock sentences have been available as a sentencing option since September 2012, but have only been imposed in about 2% of cases, said Foss.

The devices disable a vehicle from being driven if alcohol is detected on the breath of a driver, who must breathe into the system to start the engine. Any breath-alcohol reading higher than zero will activate the lock.

Interlocks are funded by offenders themselves and can cost between NZ$2,400 and NZ$2,800 for a 12-month interlock sentence.

Foss said: “Interlocks physically prevent an offender from drink-driving, ensuring their own safety but also the safety of their passengers and other road users.

“Our road toll is much, much too high. Drink driving causes an average of 77 deaths, 436 serious injuries and 1252 minor injuries on our roads every year.

“Mandatory interlock sentences are a targeted and effective way to help spare families, friends and communities the pain and suffering that inevitably follows each and every one of those crashes.

“Research shows interlocks reduce reoffending rates by about 60 per cent. This measure is squarely aimed at those who choose to get behind the wheel with illegal and incredibly dangerous levels of alcohol in their system.

“The Government is committed to making New Zealand roads safer and will continue to focus on reducing harm through safer vehicles, safer speeds, safer road users, safer roads and roadsides.”

Earlier this month, researchers at University of California created a new “tattoo” skin patch that can accurately monitor alcohol level in sweat.