Zero tolerance targets youth drivers
Young drivers are being warned about the consequences of driving with alcohol in their system – even the morning after.
A zero tolerance policy will land anyone under 20 with hefty fines if they are caught with alcohol in their system.
The new legislation came into force on August 7 and will show a ‘youth fail’ when tested by a police officer.
The police Strategic Traffic Unit is urging teens to remember that alcohol is more than likely to be on their breath and in their systems “the morning after”.
“These teenagers may do everything right on the night with not drinking and driving but the smallest amount can still be in their system the following morning, and they’re caught over zero limit,” said Huntly Sergeant Juliet Burgess.
Young drivers caught with alcohol detected in their system will be issued with an infringement offence notice, which consists of a $200 fine and 50 demerit points.
The policy also allows no legal right to a blood test when an evidential breath test shows alcohol.
If a blood test is taken for any reason and the result comes back showing the presence of alcohol, an infringement offence notice will be issued also incurring the driver a $200 fine and 50 demerit points.
“We need to promote awareness around the fact that it only takes two of these infringement notices which carry 50 demerits to get an automatic three month licence suspension for excess demerit points,” said Sergeant Burgess.
The demerits will apply regardless of what class licence a driver is holding.
