Lack of interlock devices a blow for safety

Gavin Foster blows into one of the alcohol ignition interlocks his firm Smart Start Interlocks provides. Photo / Michael Cunningham

Only five drink-drivers have been sentenced by Northland courts to have alcohol interlock devices fitted to their cars in two years - far too few, according to the Automobile Association.

The devices prevent a drunk driver starting the vehicle. Offenders convicted of repeat drink driving offences or excessively alcohol levels can be given an alcohol interlock sentence. They then apply for an alcohol interlock licence and have an interlock installed and drivers must blow into the device - recording a breath alcohol level of zero - before their car will start. Ministry of Justice figures show five interlock sentences were imposed in 2013 and 2014, all in Whangarei, out of 568 nationwide. New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) data shows 420 alcohol interlock licences were issued over that time.

Too few recidivist Northland drink drivers are being sentenced to having interlocks like this one that won't allow an engine to start if the driver has been drinking, the AA says.

AA Road Safety spokesman Dylan Thomsen said the number of people being given alcohol interlock sentences was "embarrassingly small". Research found half the drink drivers caught met the criteria for an interlock - about 10,000 people in 2014 - and it was disappointing only a few had interlocks installed.

Mr Thomsen said interlocks were effective at preventing drink driving and the AA wanted all repeat offenders and those caught driving at twice the legal alcohol limit to receive interlock sentences. The AA also wanted more assessment and treatment for drink drivers. Many eligible for interlocks had serious alcohol problems, he said.

Gavin Foster, owner of Whangarei company Smart Start Interlocks which supplies and installs the devices for the Government, said interlocks had been used around the world for the past 25 to 30 years and were one of the most effective means of reducing recidivist drink driving.

"It's not only keeping them safe from what might happen, it's keeping everyone else safe as well. So it's just another potential drink driver off the road, you might say, who could be out there causing carnage," said Mr Foster. He heard stories every week about interlocks having changed people's lives and the ways they thought about drink driving. Users had to pay for interlocks and Mr Foster suggested the Government offer some assistance.

"If someone gets a bracelet put around their ankle and they go on a home detention sentence, well it's 100 per cent government-funded. If someone gets sent to prison it's 100 per cent government-funded. If someone gets issued an interlock sentence at the moment, it's 100 per cent user pays."