Australia's peak road safety body has called for alcohol interlocks to be fitted to every vehicle in Australia, requiring all drivers to sit a breath test each time they turn the ignition, to dramatically cut the high rate of alcohol-related road deaths.

The aggressive strategy for tackling alcohol-related road deaths and injuries has been put forward by AustRoads (which includes VicRoads and NSW Roads and Maritime Services) in a report that found that the rate of alcohol-related road deaths in Australia far outstrips global averages.

Interlock systems should be a feature in all new cars, according to AustRoads. Credit:Michael Inman

The 178-page report, released last month, calls for existing interlock programs that target drink-drive offenders to be progressively expanded to all motorists, beginning with heavy vehicle operators and service vehicles such as school buses and taxis, and closely followed by P-platers.

The universal application of interlocks will ultimately save many lives, the report argues. The cost of installing and calibrating the devices would be borne by vehicle owners.