Drink-Driving and Interlocks – Court Interpreting Services

Drink driving offences in Australia can carry very serious penalties such as fines, alcohol interlock, loss of licence, and even imprisonment. For many people, the worst thing about drink-driving charges is that they could lose their job if they are unable to drive to work.

How alcohol affects your driving?

If you drink alcohol and drive, you will find it difficult to:

  • Concentrate
  • Jude the distance between your car and other vehicles
  • Judge the speed
  • Keep balance if you are riding a motorbike
  • Notice traffic lights, pedestrians and other hazards
  • See and hear normally
  • Stay awake
  • React appropriately to things going on around you

Australia has strict laws about drinking alcohol and driving, with the legal limit set at 0.05 blood alcohol concentration (BAC). Learners and probationary licence-holders must have a 0.00 BAC.

What is an alcohol interlock?

An alcohol interlock is an electronic breath testing device that prevents a vehicle from starting if it detects alcohol. Alcohol interlock also asks for breath tests during your trip. It records all breath tests requested and any attempts to drive with alcohol present on your breath.

How do I complete the program?

You’ll need to use the alcohol interlock for at least the period of time that applies for your drink-driving offence. The data recorded by your alcohol interlock is downloaded at each regular service and is used to make decisions about whether you’ve successfully completed the Program. Once you prove that you’ve separated drinking from driving, you can apply to Magistrate Court and have your alcohol interlock ‘I’ condition removed.

If English is not your first language, who can help you in Court?

Court interpreters at Bridging Translation provide language help to clients who appear in court. We have successfully helped thousands of clients communicate with lawyers and magistrates in order to remove the interlock or get their licence back. With the positive feedback from our clients, legal practitioners and magistrates’ courts, we are endeavouring to help more people understand the danger of drink driving and be able to drive again without any conditions.

Contact us now to book a court interpreter

For more information about drink-driving offences and alcohol interlocks, please visit VIC Roads website – https://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/licences/demerit-points-and-offences/drink-driving-offences For NSW drivers, please visit – http://www.rms.nsw.gov.au/roads/safety-rules/demerits-offences/drug-alcohol/interlock-program.html