Queensland toughens drink-driving law

More Queenslanders will have to pass breath tests on devices in their cars before they can drive them under new laws designed to reduce deaths on the roads.

The laws expand an alcohol interlock program that requires sentenced drink-drivers to unlock their cars by passing a breath test on an attached device.

The program will now apply to mid-range drink-drivers with a blood alcohol level between 0.10 and 0.149, under the laws that passed in parliament as it sat in Townsville on Wednesday.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said 63 people died on Queensland roads last year because of drink-drivers.

“The year before it was 43 people. This is unacceptable,” Mr Bailey said.

Mid-range drink-drivers account for more than a quarter of all drink-driving offenders and have a crash risk 20 times greater than someone who hasn’t had a drink.

Under the new laws, drink-drivers will need to have an alcohol interlock in their vehicle until they can show a consistent record of clear breath tests over time.

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