NSW marked four decades of Random Breath Testing last week as people all over the state headed into the holiday period.  

Deputy Premier and Minister for Police, Paul Toole joined Transport for NSW and NSW Police Force to mark the anniversary and as a reminder to drivers to not drink and drive this holiday season.  

Before commencement of the RBT program, the state’s annual road toll regularly surpassed 1,200 fatalities, and authorities recognised that this needed to be addressed. 

1982 saw NSW became one of the first jurisdictions in the world and the first in Australia to introduce random breath testing. 

Prior to the introduction of random breath testing police could only stop a motorist due to their manner of driving. 

In the first five years following the introduction of random breath testing across the state, road fatalities fell from 1,303 in 1980 to 1,067 in 1985. 

Alcohol related road deaths fell from 389 in 1980 to 47 in 2021. 

In 1980, the percentage of road fatalities linked to drink driving was 30%. Of the 275 road fatalities recorded in NSW last year (2021), 17% were attributed to drink driving – cutting the percentage by almost half and reducing the number of alcohol related fatalities by 88%. 

Authorities estimate 9,100 lives have been saved in NSW since it began but drink driving still contributes to about 15 to 20 per cent of deaths on NSW roads each year.

In January 2007 NSW Police also commenced testing motorists for drug driving. 

 Unique challenges in remote areas

In Western NSW drink driving remains a serious issue with 34 fatal crashes involving alcohol in the last three years and another 79 resulting in serious injuries. 

Local Pubs and Clubs in small towns have taken to running bus services to get their patrons to and from establishments as a way of combatting a lack of taxis and public transport in rural and regional areas.  

Sergent Tony Wood of Nyngan Police is full of praise for the RBT program in assisting with keeping locals safe. 

“Prior to the commencement of Random Breath Testing, we saw the road toll climb significantly, until the introduction of mandatory seatbelts followed by RBT,” said Sergent Wood.  

“Both of these implementations resulted in significant downturns in the amount of death and carnage on our roads.” 

“I have been in Nyngan for 14 years and have attended far too many serious crashes, where people have been either killed or sustained life changing injuries where alcohol has been the major factor.” 

“Whilst driving under the influence of alcohol still exists, RBT works, and is our most effective tool to save lives,” said Sergent Wood. 

“We recognise that there are unique challenges in rural and remote areas, with no public transport or taxis and country people have to take extra steps to ensure that they get themselves and their families home safe and that they also don’t destroy someone else’s lives.” 

“There is no easy answer, it just requires a bit more planning and preparation to keep everyone safe,” added Sergent Wood. 

A war not won  

Alcohol and drug driving are still a major concern for police, according to Traffic and Highway Patrol Commander Assistant Commissioner Brett McFadden. 

“Despite road fatalities having dropped since the introduction of RBT, it is still disturbing that many drivers can’t see an issue with having a few drinks, or consuming illicit drugs, before getting behind the wheel,” Assistant Commissioner McFadden said. 

“Getting behind the wheel of a car under the influence – no matter how much you consume – is not a sign of someone who is in control, it’s a sign of someone who can be up to 25 times more likely to be involved in a crash because of their state of intoxication.” 

“Our aim is to bring alcohol and drug-related fatalities to zero.” 

“Alcohol and drug-related fatalities are 100% avoidable. The message is simple – don’t drink or take drugs and drive, have a plan ‘B’ if you’re planning on having a few, and speak up if you see someone getting behind the wheel under the influence.” 

“We all have a part to play in keeping our roads safe,” he said.  

Sam Farraway, Minister for Regional Transport and Roads said the introduction of RBT laws was a significant moment for NSW in helping reduce the road toll. 

“It also marked a change in community attitudes and driver behaviour towards drink driving from being almost socially acceptable – to now being generally regarded as reckless behaviour that puts lives at risk. We also know from attitudinal research of NSW drivers, that drink and drug driving enforcement have high levels of community support.” Mr Farraway said. 

“Throughout its 40 years, RBT has been well supported by large scale public education campaigns to further deter drink driving, from our ‘Will you be under .05 or under arrest?’ in the 1980s through to our ‘Plan B’ and ‘Stop it. Or Cop it’ campaigns today.” 

“Country people make up around a third of the population in NSW,” Mr Farraway said. “But over the past five years deaths on country roads made up 67 per cent of lives lost on our roads.” 

“A death in a country town extends beyond the immediate family to the local cop who attends the scene to the community who sees one less familiar face around.  

“These are the impacts that I want drivers on our regional roads to think about the next time they get behind the wheel and why I urge all drivers to have a Plan B.”