Zero blood alcohol level for all novice road users

The State Government will adopt a zero alcohol tolerance policy for all L and P-plate drivers and novice motorcycle riders regardless of their age, Premier Anna Bligh announced today.

Ms Bligh said Cabinet had today approved draft new laws to be introduced in February which would extend the zero alcohol limit to all L and P-platers, not just those aged 25 and under.

The move will affect the 65,731 Queenslanders aged over 25 who hold a learner or provisional licence.

“Currently people aged over 25 who have a learner, provisional or probationary licence can drive with a blood alcohol content below 0.05 per cent but the new laws will extend to all novice drivers regardless of their age,” Ms Bligh said.

“This is about not only reducing the prevalence of alcohol as a significant factor in crashes for P-plate drivers, but increasing the safety for novice motorcycle riders in particular.

“Motorcycle riders are vulnerable – they are 30 times more likely to be killed in a crash than other road users and more fatal crashes occur in the first 12 months of holding a motorcycle licence.

“The risks are also there for older people learning to ride a motorcycle . Data shows that between 2002 and 2006, 36 per cent of fatal crashes involved novice riders aged between 30 and 49 years of age.

“Riding a motorcycle requires different skills than driving a car and any impairment as a result of alcohol consumption can impact on a rider’s ability to apply these skills effectively.

“The no alcohol restriction will reinforce the message to these licence holders that they are novice drivers and riders who are still developing their driving skills. “

Ms Bligh said the changes to the no alcohol limit further support a raft of changes introduced by the State Government to improve road safety.

From July 2007, sweeping reforms to licensing provisions were introduced in a bid to reduce the number of young drivers being killed on Queensland roads.

The Graduated Licensing System requires young drivers to hold their learner licence for a minimum of 12 months and gain extensive on road driving experience to ensure they are better prepared when they are able to drive unsupervised.

Earlier this year, the government launched the three-year Queensland Motorcycle Safety Strategy which included the introduction of the Learner Approved Motorcycle (LAM) scheme – which restricts power-to-weight ratios to ensure that learners don't have bikes that are too powerful - and restrictions for carrying pillion passengers to keep learner riders safe.

Ms Bligh said in first six months of this year there were 37 fatalities involving drink drivers and riders which amounted to 21 per cent of the road toll.

In addition, over 500 people have been killed in alcohol-related crashes in the past seven years.

23 November 2009

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