A TAMWORTH man has become one of the first in the city ordered to fit a breath-testing device to his car after he was caught drink-driving.
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In February, tough new restrictions came into force requiring drivers convicted of serious or repeated drink-driving offences to have their vehicles fitted with an interlock device which is linked to the ignition system.
The court-ordered breath-testing device requires drivers to provide a breath sample before the vehicle starts, while randomly-timed tests must also be passed when the vehicle is in motion, otherwise a “fail” can disable the ignition system.
The NSW government introduced the laws to reduce drink driving-related injuries and deaths which it maintains accounts for 15 per cent of the annual road toll.
Drivers convicted of high-range PCA, or any drink-driving offence twice within five years, will be sentenced with an interlock order.
The interlock device, which is served after a court-ordered disqualification period, is fitted to a car for a minimum of 12 months and maximum of five years, and costs about $2200 a year to maintain.
In Tamworth Local Court this week, Brett John Carr became one of the first people in Tamworth to be sentenced under the new laws.
The 24-year-old was charged with mid-range PCA and driving while disqualified after crashing a car near Moore Creek about 3.30am on February 8.
Carr had been at a party in Moonbi when he drove along Davidsons Ln, and applied the brakes when he misjudged a sharp bend but slammed into a guard rail.
“He was in his girlfriend’s car. He made the decision to drive,” his solicitor said.
“Your honour would work out he has a problem with alcohol.”
Both Carr and his passenger were not injured but the Mitsubishi Lancer sustained extensive damage to the front and side.
Carr, who blew 0.145 – almost three times the legal limit – was disqualified from driving at the time after he was convicted of low-range PCA.
“You’re lucky you weren’t killed,” Magistrate Michael Holmes said.
“I believe these are serious matters.”
The previous conviction triggered the new interlock order which will have to be fitted to Carr’s vehicle after he serves a two-year disqualification period.
He was fined $2000 and put on a good behaviour bond.
