Increased RBTs: A Way to Combat Road Deaths in NSW

Increased RBTs: A Way to Combat Road Deaths in NSW

In moments of crisis, bold and decisive action is needed. Australia's 1996 response to the Port Arthur massacre, which claimed 35 innocent lives, set a vital precedent. Swift consensus among authorities led to pivotal changes in gun safety laws. Today, we face another crisis, one that claims lives on our roads with increasing frequency. It's time for immediate attention.

More than 300 people die on NSW roads every year. That statistic is already up Many of these incidents are not mere accidents, but preventable cases of vehicular homicide. Drivers with a history of reckless behaviour have disregarded the safety of passengers, pedestrians, and fellow road users, with devastating consequences.

A chilling reality known to some police officers is the phrase, "If you want to kill someone, use a car." It's a stark reminder that vehicular crimes often result in less severe punishment and are seldom classified as homicide. This harsh truth highlights the urgent need for comprehensive legislative reform to tackle road crimes. The evidence is irrefutable, and the impact of road trauma is felt far and wide.

But we have the power to bring about change. Recent research is a stark reminder of the urgency we face. More than one in ten drivers surveyed, who consume alcohol, admit to driving over the legal blood-alcohol limit, resulting in 35 lives lost due to alcohol-related crashes in NSW this year, alone.

The NRMA has launched the 'Bust the Boozers' report, part of its Road Safety Series, and an e-petition to the NSW Parliament, calling for an increase in Random Breath Tests (RBTs) across the state. Shockingly, 12% of those surveyed have driven over the limit, and 17% possibly over the limit.

Of those admitting to drink driving, 14% had previously been caught by an RBT. Worryingly, less than half of those surveyed have encountered an RBT in the last six months, and even fewer in the last seven to twelve months. These statistics demand action.

I not only understand this need for change, but also the challenges faced by victims' families during their time of immense grief. My 17-year-old son, Barney, was tragically killed in a car crash caused by a drunk driver who was not breathalysed by the Police at the scene. He later recorded a Blood Alcohol Level of 0.142. The driver received a paltry 12 month driving ban, leading me to co-found the Road Trauma Support Group. As people who have all lost a loved one due to the criminal road act of another driver, we fully stand with the NRMA in calling for more active policing, in particular more RBT’s.  I also call for mandatory alcohol interlocks for all convicted drunk drivers.

The best practice model is for at least 1.1 RBT tests per licence holder per year, equating to over 7.3 million tests across NSW this year. In 2022, there was a 36% drop compared to 2019 levels. We need to align RBT rates with best practice and ensure visible policing is increased.

With the NSW road toll 24% higher than the same time last year, it's evident that a significant shift is necessary to combat drunk driving. To the public: don't drink and drive. To the NSW Government: we urgently call for a substantial increase in RBTs and the necessary resources for our police to make it happen. The evidence is indisputable, and the impact of road trauma is endured by far too many.

Duncan Wakes-MIller

RTSG Founding Member

27 December, 2024