Juan Uzabeaga uses an interlock in his car. Credit:Michele Mossop "If a magistrate sees you haven't learnt from two previous suspensions, then what's next? "The lawyer asked me if I had done anything about my drink-driving. I said: 'No. I have been drinking for 30 years.' I thought I might as well get help. I went to rehab, Foundation House in Rozelle. I completed four weeks." Instead of a five-year ban the magistrate handed down a six-month suspension (that he had already served) and a two-year ignition interlock program. Mr Uzabeaga, who says he has quit drinking now, is among those who have been put on the interlock program since it became compulsory in February last year. It involves a driver blowing into the interlock device; if any alcohol is detected the car won't start. The driver's photo is taken and it requests repeat breath tests during the journey.

A demonstration of the interlock system fitted to a test vehicle by an employee at Guardian Interlock Systems. Credit:Wolter Peeters The driver's record of attempts to start the car is recorded and monitored. Roads and Maritime Service may advise participants who continue to try and drink and drive to get medical advice or they may even be given an extension in the time they are required to stay on the program. Installation costs the user about $400 and there's also a monthly leasing fee of about $150. A Centre for Road Safety survey found that more than 80 per cent of 1700 respondents approve of the Mandatory Alcohol Interlock Program for high range and serious drink-driving offenders. John is about to start using an interlock, having been banned from driving for one month. Credit:Fiona Morris Don't blow it.

There were about 700 people voluntarily taking part in the interlock program when the new legislation came into effect on February 1, 2015. Bernard Carlon, the executive director, said since its introduction NSW courts have made 4290 interlock orders and Roads and Maritime Services has issued more than 1325 interlock licences for set up and monitoring of the program. For the first 12 months after the introduction there was an average 20 interlock licences issued each week but that number has since doubled to an average of 40 each week. "The number of interlock licences is expected to increase as more offenders serve their initial upfront period of disqualification and then enrol in the program by having an interlock device fitted to their vehicle and licence issued," Mr Carlon said. "Based on experiences in other jurisdictions with interlock programs, we expect that the mandatory NSW program will reduce reoffending of high-risk drink-drivers, which will help reduce alcohol-related road trauma."

An evaluation of the new program has started. It will assess the road safety benefits and outcomes for participants. Les Libbesson​, owner of Guardian Interlock Systems, one of the largest suppliers of the devices, said data of the driver's use of the machine allowed authorities to decide if the person should remain on the program. "Modern-day interlock programs in Australia are performance-based. The authorities get the data straight from us, enabling the authorities to monitor the performance. I have an example of a lady in Victoria who went on it for six months in February 2007 and she's still on it because she can't go for a single month without having multiple attempts to drink and drive." Lawyer Sam Macedone represented Mr Uzabeaga. ​He said he considered the program very successful and it was rare in his experience to see someone charged with drink-driving again after having used the interlock.

"It just seems to be what they need to remind them that you don't drink and drive. For once the law has put together something that is some form of rehabilitation, as opposed to hitting you over the back of the knuckles for doing something wrong and leaving it up to you not to do it again." John*, of Gymea, who owns a small retail business and did not want to be identified, believes the interlock device will save his life. He will start using it next month. John was diagnosed with cancer last year and was undergoing radiotherapy. He went for a body scan in January and was expecting results in the second week of February. "The day I was pulled over I had been working all day Friday and I was getting really apprehensive because my test results were due on the Tuesday," he said. "I had been seeking some help for anxiety and depression. "I just went to the local hotel on a Friday night after work. I had three schooners of mid-strength beers, but I had them really quickly and I hadn't had anything to eat all day. I really didn't think that I was over the limit. As it turned out I was low-range, 0.06." He'd also had a low-range offence in 2011.

"I met my lawyer. I was expecting to lose my licence for between six and nine months, possibly 12 months, and that was a very daunting prospect because I was still undergoing all the medical treatments. Catching public transport for all of that is very difficult. "When the magistrate handed down his sentence with the interlock program I was more than happy and excited about it. He was fairly sympathetic that I had been diagnosed with a terminal disease but said it was no excuse for drink-driving, which I admitted it's not. Sometimes you do stupid things and you have got to take responsibility for your actions. John received a one-month licence ban followed by a 12-month probationary interlock program. "Being able to drive and get to all my medical appointments for the next 12 months is a godsend. It has been a lifesaver. More people should be aware of what they are drinking and how easy it is to be over the limit." * Not his real name.