At the risk of being slammed here, if the blood alcohol level was at 0.1 (as it is in most States in the USA) instead of 0.05, how many offences would occur? I think a relaxing of the bal to0.1 would not increase public safety to any great extent and would fre up police, court and corrections time and resources. Just a thought.

While our courts are well known to give people back their licenses simply "to get to work", the ACT's bad record will continue. These offenders have to kept off the road. Let's double the demerit points and halve the fines.

I was NOT aware that the limit was 0.05. It used to be 0.08 ever since it was introduced. Is the aim of targeted police blitzes to lessen the number of drivers above the limit, for which it fails dismally, or yet another way to boost government coffers? Just possibly more general presence of police on the roads as patrols and as cars at known drinking spots would discourage drinkers from driving since at present the chance of being caught is still infinitesimally small.

It's been 0.05 for many years. I remember that Peter Brock's race number was changed to 05 as part of the campaign to bring it down. P platers are 0.02 as are many commercial drivers. I think the level is draconian, particularly if you are not involved in any other traffic infringement. Perhaps it's a matter of the authorities trying to implement what they perceive to be best, but society ignoring that suggestion. I belive the largets contributor to road accidents is driving when angry, not after drinking 3 beers.

You wouldn't operate machinery under any influence. (Not even too angry). If you got caught you'd lose your job. Should be same on road. Leave the keys at home and have a better time of it.

Fair comment Jo. Can't argue at all really.

i got caught drink driving i thought i`d be fine my reading was 0.059 i lost my lic for 3 months with a $500 fine, an the night i got done the cop said i could come back in a hour an pick my car up. i think in some cases they should be changed

Surely the answer is a society which does not drive people to drink and use drugs. How about some creative prevention rather than fines and punishment. Gangsters allow 'misbehaviours in their territory as long as they get their cut - governments should be different!

Noni - my point exactly.

I'm with jo. A car is deadly. Why should we allow people to drive while under the influence of anything which impairs their judgement?