From October 1, every repeat offender will have to fit an alcohol interlock to any vehicle they drive. 

A very large number of first-time drink-drivers and riders will also now end up with an alcohol interlock — a breath-test device connected to the ignition of a vehicle to prevent it from starting if the driver has been drinking.

Current laws for alcohol interlocks target offenders with a blood-alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.15 or more, most repeat offenders and young drivers with a BAC of 0.07 or more. 

The new rules will include:

* all probationary drivers and learner drivers regardless of their BAC; 

* drivers who have a BAC of 0.07 to 0.15; 

* drivers with a BAC under 0.07 whose licences are cancelled, including professional drivers of buses, taxis and vehicles over 15 tonnes;

* all repeat offenders with a BAC reading under 0.07;

* novice motorcycle riders who are subject to a zero BAC limit; and

* serious alcohol-related offences under the Sentencing Act 1991, including first offences.

Warrnambool police Senior Sergeant Russell Tharle welcomed the changes.

“Any legislative moves to combat the road toll and recidivist drink-driver is another step in the right direction to reducing fatal and serious injury collisions,” Senior Sergeant Tharle said.

Minister for Roads Terry Mulder said yesterday the expanded alcohol interlock program starting on October 1 would be tougher on drink-drivers and make people think twice about having “just one more”.

“Messages about the dangers of drink-driving have become everyday terms. We know if you drink then drive you are a ‘bloody idiot’. But amazingly there are still people choosing to have too many drinks and then drive,” he said.

“Drink-drivers are responsible for 25 to 30 per cent of deaths and 11 per cent of serious injuries on our roads. Even more astounding is the fact that 20 per cent of people caught are repeat offenders, so we are cracking down on them as well as first-time offenders.”

The alcohol interlock condition will apply for at least six months after re-licensing and at least 12 months for repeat offenders. Interlock devices are proven to reduce drink-driving by up to 64 per cent.

“Alcohol interlocks help people to separate their drinking from their driving. So far the program in Victoria has already prevented people affected by alcohol from driving their vehicles 250,000 times,” Mr Mulder said.

“Under the changes, it is estimated that at least 10,000 drink-drivers a year will have to fit alcohol interlocks to any vehicle they drive, a 100 per cent increase on today’s numbers. 

“It’s inconvenient, it’s embarrassing and it’s avoidable. It’s just not worth it.

“Don’t plan to drive if you are going to have a drink. If you do, you might end up with your own private booze-bus in your car.”