Aussie drink-driving laws have similar penalties, but our BAC level is still at .05. This will be moved to .02 in the coming years. Be safe for you, your family and the person you may injure because, you thought you were ‘ok to drive!’
SHOULD YOU BE DRIVING? DON'T DRINK AND DRIVE....EVER!
Imagine if you had to tell a family that their child was never coming home again...because a driver had a few too many drinks and they were too lazy to get a taxi? How would you feel if it was your child? Your brother, your parent, your best friend? Now imagine that you're the one who had a few drinks and thought...Home isn't too far. I'll make it without getting busted. While on the back streets worrying if the booze bus will catch you, you hit someone. How do you live with that for the rest of your life?
Long-time anti-drink driving advocate, founding member of P.A.D.D. (People Against Drink Driving) and nationally acclaimed artist, Mr Donald Cameron, has just published his latest book in a limited edition run. This long awaited labour of love is replete with fascinating recounts and beautiful images. The work “The Two Obsessions of Donald Cameron” journals Don’s remarkable career as an artist and engraver on many national projects, including Postage Stamp design; but also his life saving passion to prevent drink driving. We commend this visually stunning book to you and encourage you to contact Donald to procure your copy.
You can call 02 9894 1292 or write to Donald Cameron at 6 Edgewood Ave, Castle Hill, NSW, 2154
“Implement strict controls… direct and indirect advertising of alcoholic beverages and ensure that no form of advertising is specifically addressed to young people, for instance, through the linking of alcohol to sports.”
(World Health Organisation European Charter on Alcohol strategies for alcohol action 1995)
When does alcohol sponsorship of sport become sports sponsorship of alcohol?
“Following Formula One’s sponsorship deal with Heineken, Eurocare vice-president Lauri Beekmann speculates over the real benefits to the funding of national and global sports for the major alcohol industry players
We expect anything from the drinks industry, what they do is in the interest of their business, that’s why the letter was sent to the F1 management. The ball is in the court of sports leaders and national and international policy makers. They have to understand that when it comes to alcohol, sponsorship money is not only about sports but about alcohol policy that has these same goals everywhere: to reduce alcohol related harm, overall consumption levels and youth exposure to alcohol. They may say and think that they can’t solve alcohol problems and deal with alcohol policy issues, that they are just there for their sports. But if they accept alcohol money, they are part of the problem. They must ask themselves, when does alcohol sponsorship of sport become sports sponsorship of alcohol? A good example comes from Australia where 12 sporting organisations have agreed to end all existing and future alcohol sponsorship agreements. In exchange, the groups will share $25 million in replacement government funding taken from new alcopops tax revenues. As a sports fan I agree that other measures have to be found to replace the alcohol money. A simple ban could leave some sports without necessary support. But as the Australian case shows, it´s possible.
Heineken's generous F1 sponsorship attempts to present that they are irreplaceable. Big Tobacco tried this before, but lost the battle. Nick Fry, Former CEO of Mercedes AMG Petronas Formula One Team said about losing the tobacco sponsorship: “While tobacco companies were generous partners of Formula 1 for nearly four decades, the reality is that a large number of companies did not want to be associated with a team with tobacco logos on the car and indeed some didn't want to be associated with the sport, which was very tobacco oriented. This really has opened up a whole new door.”
Alcohol interlock devices being introduced in Western Australia this year will go a long way to slashing the incidence of drink driving, Road Safety Minister Liza Harvey has said.
Key points:
Up to 5,000 interlocks to be installed this year
Installation to be at driver's expense
Minister confident measure will cut drink-driving rates
Alcohol interlocks act as breathalysers and are used to prevent high-risk offenders from driving a car while drunk.
The relevant legislation was passed by Parliament last year and it was expected courts would start ordering the devices be fitted to the cars of drink drivers in the second half of this year.
The devices would be compulsory for all motorists convicted of driving with a blood-alcohol level in excess of 0.15, as well as those with more than one excess 0.08 offence.
The interlocks would be installed at the driver's expense for a minimum of six months, and only once the licence suspension period imposed by the courts had been served.
Mrs Harvey said Road Safety Commission figures showed approximately 5,000 drink drivers in WA could be forced to install the devices in their vehicles each year.
Mrs Harvey said if a driver failed an interlock breath test they would have to undergo an assessment and treatment program, which included six sessions with a specialist alcohol and addiction counsellor.
"The problem with these recidivist offenders is a problem with alcohol, so what we need to do is work with them on their alcohol problem while ensuring they cannot drive a vehicle while they're under the influence of alcohol," she said.
"And we're confident if they attend the six sessions, they go through that period of good behaviour, that we'll be able to change that habit and that is the very bad, very dangerous habit of drinking and driving."
Imagine if you had to tell a family that their child was never coming home again...because a driver had a few too many drinks and they were too lazy to get a taxi? How would you feel if it was your child? Your brother, your parent, your best friend? Now imagine that you're the one who had a few drinks and thought...Home isn't too far. I'll make it without getting busted. While on the back streets worrying if the booze bus will catch you, you hit someone. How do you live with that for the rest of your life?
Families should not suffer this trauma, and P.A.D.D wants Australia's roads to become safer for all. P.A.D.D was founded because of the personal experience of knowing a victim of this crime and the outcome it had for all involved.
Long time campaigner and key stakeholder in People Against Drink Driving, Artist Donald Cameron, has finally published his short book - "When Random Breath Testing Came To Australia." This short but history laden work, is a great snapshot of a key safety initiative that has made Aussie roads much safer. For a copy, please email us and for the donation of $10 we'll send you a copy.
NEWS ON BOOZE
The nation of Chile is yet another country to declare ‘they’ve had enough’ when it comes to alcohol and the road toll. Previous leniency has not reduced the Harms of alcohol on the roads and they have now introduced a ZERO TOLERANCE policy.
What that means for Chilean’s is:
The new law provides the following penalties
Those who are caught with a Blood Alcohol Content of .03 will receive a minimum driving ban of 90 days.
However, if this same driver causes a minor accident or minor injury to any person, the penalty is a driving ban of 180 days.
In case of death or serious injury, a person's license us cancelled for 5 years, they receive a a fine of 30 UTM (This is a monthly tax credit rating, one UTM is about Ch$31,444 x 30 = over $1 million pesos (that was several years ago) and 3 to 5 years in prison.
Under the new laws you are considered ‘drunk’ at .08 and if caught driving your license is suspended for two years.
If you repeat this offence you will be banned from driving for five years.
If you cause a death whilst driving with BAC of 0.8 or greater you will go to prison for 3-5 years and will never be allowed to drive again.
Should you be driving?
Aussie drink-driving laws have similar penalties, but our BAC level is still at .05. This will be moved to .02 in the coming years. Be safe for you, your family and the person you may injure because, you thought you were ‘ok to drive!’
SHOULD YOU BE DRIVING? DON'T DRINK OR DRIVE....EVER!
World Federation Against Drugs (W.F.A.D) Dalgarno Institute is a member of this global initiative. For evidence based data on best practice drug policy in the global context.
The Institute for Behavior and Health, Inc. is to reduce the use of illegal drugs. We work to achieve this mission by conducting research, promoting ideas that are affordable and scalable...
Drug Free Australia Website.
Drug Free Australia is a peak body, representing organizations and individuals who value the health and wellbeing of our nation...
(I.T.F.S.D.P) This international peak body continues to monitor and influence illicit drug policy on the international stage. Dalgarno Institute is a member organisation.
The National Alliance for Action on Alcohol is a national coalition of health and community organisations from across Australia that has been formed with the goal of reducing alcohol-related harm.
RiverMend Health is a premier provider of scientifically driven, specialty behavioral health services to those suffering from alcohol and drug dependency, dual disorders, eating disorders, obesity and chronic pain.
