State’s worst region for drink-driving revealed ahead of festive season

The Central Coast has been revealed as NSW’s worst region for drink-driving, according to new data. More than 900 motorists in the area were nabbed driving over the legal limit in 2022, NRMA research has revealed. It was followed by Sydney’s CBD with 579 incidents, Blacktown (567), the Northern Beaches (455), Penrith (3390 and Canterbury-Bankstown (249). NRMA spokespman Peter Khoury said the numbers were of particular concern heading into the festive season when more Aussies tend to hit the roads and attend holiday functions. “There have been 70 more deaths since this time last year which represents a 27 per cent increase to the road toll, so we are again reminding drivers to keep the car at home if you’re attending work Christmas parties and other social gatherings and plan on drinking,” Mr Khoury said. “We want the public to play its part while at the same time reiterating our call to the NSW government to significantly increase the number of RBTs across the state. “We need a particular focus on regional communities where road fatalities are significantly higher and the temptation to drink and drive can be greater due to a lack of alternative transport options, especially late at night.” According to the NRMA, alcohol is a factor in 17 per cent of road fatalities in NSW. Across the nation, the greatest amount of random breath testis (RBTs) was conducted in NSW, with 3,825,522 undertaken in 2022 alone. RBT numbers in NSW far outweighed every other state, with and were 2,203,908 tests conducted in Victoria and 1,657,920.in Queensland. This means NSW had a positive RBT return rate of 0.41 per cent or one in 242. The Northern Territory returned the highest rate of positive RBT results with one in 12, followed by the ACT with one in 42 and Tasmania with one in 88. Western Australia performed the best with just one in 297 results coming back positive, followed by Victoria with one in 266. “In Western Australia where the highest number of tests were conducted per licence holder in 2022, the rate of detection was the lowest of all states and territories,” Mr Khoury said. “In the ACT, where the lowest number of tests were conducted per licence holder, one in 42 drivers blew over the limit. “We know seeing RBTs on the road is the ultimate deterrent to drink-driving. The more drivers see them set up on the side of the road testing drivers the more likely they are to not risk drink-driving.”