People Against Drink/Drug Driving

Co-developer of the alcohol ignition interlock device Rod Tatersall illustrates the use of the mini-machine (AAP) (AAP)

Victoria is about to introduce some of the toughest laws in the country for low-range drink-drivers. Offenders caught with blood alcohol levels of between .05 and .07 will now have their licences cancelled immediately

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KIERAN ROONEY, Herald Sun - November 1, 2017 

THOUSANDS of first-time drink-drivers will lose their ­licences and have interlock devices installed in their cars under new laws introduced by the Andrews Government.

Reforms cracking down on low-range drink-driving off­ences were introduced to parliament yesterday and are expected to come into effect early next year if passed.

Up to 3000 full licence-holders are caught drink-driving with a blood-alcohol content between 0.05 and 0.07 each year, the lowest punishable level.

The changes will mean drink-drivers in this range, including first-time offenders, will have their licences cancelled immediately and they will be disqualified from driving for three months.

Every drink-driver in the state will also be required to have an interlock fitted to their car for at least six months and must complete a behavioural change program. 

An alcohol interlock immobilises a car until a driver successfully passes a breath­alyser test in the device.

They will cost drink-­drivers about $180 to install, $150 per month to maintain and $100 to remove. Minister for Roads and Road Safety Luke Donnellan said low-level drink-driving was a serious danger.

“We make no apologies for toughening penalties for drink-drivers who continue to put the lives of Victorians at risk,” he said

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(Drinking  long term, will affect your driving?)
“Alcohol does have short term vision-altering effects, but excessive consumption can lead to long term, life-changing eye conditions. Both long term alcohol abuse and short term excessive alcohol use can lead to permanent loss of vision owing to the direct effect of alcohol on the optic nerves.”

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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.”

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