New laws coming into effect across New South Wales would mean severe punishments for drink driving at any level, including low-range offences. Under the new reforms, first-time drink driving offenders can lose their license immediately and be hit with a $561 fine. A low-range reading is considered anything between 0.05 and 0.079. Legal experts have condemned the changes, arguing that the current legal framework should maintain its current focus on deterring potential law-breakers.

Tough new drink-driving laws come into effect today for NSW, which will see anyone caught driving over the alcohol limit have their licence immediately suspended.

The new penalties were announced by Transport and Roads Minister Andrew Constance earlier this month.

From today, any driver, even if they are a first time or low-range offender, will receive a $561 fine and immediate three month licence suspension.

“This means anyone caught drink-driving in NSW, at any level, including low-range, can now lose their licence immediately,” Mr Constance said.

“This reform makes it clear if you break the law, you will pay the price. We are taking a zero-tolerance approach to drink and drug driving.”

This new law also applies for people caught drug-driving.

Before the reform came into effect, drink-drivers had to attend court to determine the severity of their penalty.

Previously low-range drink-drivers didn’t lose their licence immediately and were still able to drive up until their court date.

The harsh new penalty comes as part of a number of changes being introduced as part of the Road Safety Plan 2021, in a bid to further deter drink-driving and reduce alcohol-related trauma.

Alcohol-related crashes claimed the lives of at least 68 people on NSW roads last year, accounting for nearly one in five road deaths, including 55 lives lost on country roads.

The Road Safety Plan aims to reduce road fatalities by at least 30 per cent by 2021.

“Drivers who have an illegal level of alcohol in their blood or have used illegal drugs have no place on the road,” Mr Constance said.

Assistant Police Commissioner Michael Corboy said the reform would protect road users by ensuring swift and certain penalties.

He’s warned drivers that after almost four decades with the same alcohol limits in place for drivers, there are “no more excuses” for intoxicated drivers.

“Alcohol is one of the major factors in crashes that kill or injure people on NSW roads,” Mr Corboy said.

“The 0.05 blood alcohol limit has been in place for almost 38 years. There are no more excuses.”

For those driving public passenger vehicles, including buses and taxis, the limit is 0.02, same for coach and heavy vehicle drivers, and those driving dangerous goods.

Learner and P-plate drivers must have a blood-alcohol content (BAC) of zero.