During 1998 alcohol was a causal factor in:

• 16% of fatal crashes (down from 19% in 1997)
• 15% of serious injury crashes

On Thursday, Friday & Saturday nights alcohol was a factor in 60% of fatal crashes. In 1996 of those drivers/riders admitted to hospital with illegal BAC's - over 50% were high range, with young driver's (17-25) having twice the incidence of illegal BAC levels.

Since RBT was introduced (Dec 1982) the proportion of drivers/riders killed with illegal BAC's reduced from 40% in 1980/81 to 21% in 1996.

ALCOHOL	FATAL	INJURY	TOTAL
1996	102	2055	2157
1997	115	1897	2012
1998	91	1939	2030

* RTA Figs

Breath screening

The NSW Police Service has approximately 1,900 alcolmeters deployed in the field for initial breath screening. The Lion SD-2 device is currently in service, with new passive/direct devices being evaluated.

Police may require a driver or front seat passenger instructing a learner to undertake a breath test in the following cases:-

• stationary RBT and mobile RBT
• driver involved in a crash front seat passengers instructing a learner driver
• driver detected committing offences

When a driver has a positive result or refuses to provide a sample, they are placed under arrest and conveyed to the nearest police station or RBT bus for the purpose of undergoing a breath analysis.

Evidential breath analysis

The NSW Police Service has Drager 7110 evidential breath analysis instruments located at 240 locations throughout the State, including RBT.

A person required to undergo an evidential breath analysis, who exceeds the prescribed concentration of alcohol, will be dealt with by a Court in accordance with the following penalties:

Reading	Penalty	1st Offence	2nd & subsequent		Risk Factors
Special Range .02 >	Max fine	$1,100	$2,200		Applies to:- commercial drivers learners provisional persons under 25 with < 3yrs exp unauthorised drivers
	Max gaol	N/A	N/A
	min max automatic Disqualification	3 months 6 months 6 months	6 months Unlimited 12 months
Low Range 0.05 >	Max fine	$1,100	$2,200		2 times the risk of having a crash
	Max gaol	N/A	N/A
	min max automatic Disqualification	3 months 6 months 6 months	6 months Unlimited 12 months
Mid Range 0.08 >	Max fine	$2,200	$3,300		4 times the risk Same penalties as DRIVE UNDER INFLUENCE
	Max gaol	9 months	12 months
	min max automatic Disqualification	6 months Unlimited 12 months	12 months Unlimited 3 years
	Lic Suspension	Yes	Yes
High Range 0.15 >	Max fine	$3,300	$5,500		25 times the risk Includes:- refuse breath analysis hinder/obstruct blood sample willfully alter BAC
	Max gaol	18 months	2 years
	min max automatic Disqualification	12 months Unlimited 3 years	2 years Unlimited 5 years
	Lic Suspension	Yes	Yes
Refuse a drug test; Wilfully alter the amount of a drug in blood/urine	Max fine	$3,300	$5,500
	Max gaol	18 months	2 years
	min max automatic Disqualification	12 months Unlimited 3 years	2 years Unlimited 5 years

Blood analysis following accidents

Legislation requires a medical practitioner or accredited registered nurse, attending an accident patient at a hospital, to take a sample of the patient's blood for analysis. Whilst this only applies to specified road users, it is an offence for the health professional not to take the sample and also for any person to hinder or obstruct the taking of that sample.

Drug impaired driving