Mandatory Alcohol Interlock Scheme

The Mandatory Alcohol Interlock Scheme

Drink driving remains a significant factor in fatalities and serious injuries on South Australian roads. The mandatory scheme is one of a number of measures aimed at drink drivers. Other initiatives that have been introduced to deter drink driving behaviour, are:

  • increasing the number of breath tests being performed
  • introduction of full-time mobile random breath testing
  • immediate loss of licence for high level drink driving offenders.

Crash data shows the percentage of drivers and riders killed with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) above the legal limit has increased over the last decade.

What is the Mandatory Alcohol Interlock Scheme?

The Alcohol Interlock Scheme is mandatory for drivers disqualified from driving following a serious drink driving offence.

The driver must re-apply for a licence and fit an alcohol interlock breath-testing device to their vehicle before they can resume driving.

An alcohol interlock is a small breath-testing device, about the size of an electric shaver, which is fitted to the ignition of a vehicle. It measures the level of alcohol in your breath after you blow into it allowing you to drive legally but preventing you from driving if alcohol is detected.

The driver is responsible for all costs associated with the installation, rental, servicing and removal of the alcohol interlock device.

A serious drink driving offence is defined as:
  • driving under the influence of an intoxicating liquor
  • refusing a breath test
  • refusing a blood test
  • driving with a Blood Alcohol Category Level 3; at or above 0.15
  • driving with a Blood Alcohol Content Category 2 (a reading of 0.08 and up to 0.14) where a previous alcohol offence (other than a Category 1 offence with a BAC less than 0.08) exists within the last five years..

    Drink driving remains a significant factor in deaths and serious injuries on our roads.  If you're thinking of drinking - don't take the car!

The MR1355 Mandatory Alcohol Interlock Scheme (PDF, 2925 KB) brochure contains more information.

Latest news

64x64

Action to refuse registration of cars with critical defective Takata airbags expanded

06 Jan 2021

Additional vehicles registered in South Australia have now been identified as having been fitted with a “critical” Takata airbag, and will be refused registration to ensure the safety of all road users.
64x64

REMINDER: Temporary closure of intersection of South Road and Regency Road for bridge move

30 Dec 2020

As part of the Regency Road to Pym Street Project there will be a temporary partial closure of the South Road and Regency Road intersection from 5am Monday, 4 January, to 5am Monday, 11 January, weather permitting.
News archive

Road safety works

64x64

Final asphalt for Darlington Upgrade Project

07 Nov 2020

As part of the Darlington Upgrade Project, night and weekend works will be undertaken in the lowered motorway and on South Road to install the final layer of asphalt and line marking.
64x64

Heysen Tunnels maintenance works

06 Oct 2020

Motorists are advised of upcoming partial closures of the Heysen Tunnels to allow for essential safety maintenance works.
Road safety works archive
Subscribe
Facebook Twitter YouTube