NSW: Link between drink driving offences and prison time-NBCSR

AAP General News (Australia)
12-17-2003
NSW: Link between drink driving offences and prison time-NBCSR

SYDNEY, Dec 17 AAP - Be warned. If you drink and drive and have more than two previous
convictions for the same offence, chances are you'll end up in prison.

A NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (NBCSR) report released today said drivers
caught with a high-range blood alcohol reading who had more than two previous drink-drive
convictions were likely to end up in jail.

The report said prison sentences were imposed on 67 per cent of those with three or
more prior drink-driving convictions in the preceding five years.

Thirty-one per cent of those with two prior drink-drive convictions in the preceding
five years were sent to jail, while nine per cent of those with just one prior conviction
were jailed, the report said.

The odds of a prison term doubled if one of those previous convictions involved a high-range
blood alcohol reading, NBCSR said.

Bureau director Don Weatherburn said that, in the lead up to Christmas, the report's
findings provided a timely warning about the penalties courts imposed on those who were
repeatedly caught drinking and driving.

AAP smb/sd/sjb/bwl

KEYWORD: DRINK

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