If you’re old enough to remember when roadside alcohol testing began in NSW, you’ll know how far we’ve come. Back in 1982, when random breath testing was introduced, drink driving was seen by many as acceptable. Driving home after “a few too many” wasn’t unusual—it was the practically the norm.
Fast forward to today and attitudes have changed. Education, a greater understanding of the risks, enforcement and the very real consequences of getting caught have made a difference. Most people now think twice before getting behind the wheel after drinking. And the results show it. Since alcohol testing began in NSW, the number of people killed or injured in alcohol-related crashes has dropped significantly.
But here’s the kicker: despite this progress, people are still getting caught. And in some cases, the numbers—and the behaviour—are alarming.
King’s Birthday blitz: 275 drink drivers caught
Take the recent King’s Birthday long weekend, for example. NSW Police conducted a statewide road safety blitz, including a focus on alcohol testing, across NSW. Over the long weekend, 275 people were charged with drink driving. That’s not a typo. Two hundred and seventy-five.
Among those caught:
- A 28-year-old woman in Grafton was allegedly travelling on the wrong side of the road and returned a breath test reading of 0.234—nearly five times the legal limit.
- A 49-year-old man in Zetland allegedly crashed his vehicle and blew 0.266.
- A 44-year-old woman in Wahroonga, who had two children aged 5 and 15 in her car, allegedly returned a reading of 0.197.
- A 39-year-old man in Liverpool was allegedly driving 54km/h over the speed limit and blew 0.098. He also allegedly tested positive for drugs.
Every one of these individuals made a choice to drive after drinking. And they put themselves—and others—in danger.
More recently: High-range drink and drug driving in the Blue Mountains
As if that wasn’t enough, another shocking case happened just last week. A man was charged with high-range drink driving after his vehicle crashed through a fence, brought down power lines, and came to rest near train tracks in the Blue Mountains.
The driver allegedly returned a roadside breath test reading of 0.162. That’s over three times the legal limit. He also allegedly tested positive for drugs. A later breath analysis at Katoomba Police Station confirmed the same high reading.
This is reckless behaviour. And it’s clear evidence that while we’ve made great progress, we’re not done yet.
Why does alcohol testing still matter?
Some might wonder: with numbers down overall, why is alcohol testing in NSW still such a focus? Because drink driving kills. It injures. It wrecks lives.
Every time someone drives over the limit, they increase the chance of a crash. A split-second decision can lead to a lifetime of regret.
NSW Police understand this, which is why they continue to run roadside alcohol testing operations. These tests are not just about catching people after the fact—they’re about sending a strong message of deterrence.
If you know you might be pulled over and tested, you’re more likely to make smarter decisions.
Alcohol testing is part of a bigger picture
While the focus in this post is on roads, it’s important to remember that drink driving isn’t just a road safety issue—it’s an issue in workplaces too.
Many employees drive for work on our roads. And many people have roles in plants, factories, warehouses and other safety-focused industries where being impaired can put them and their colleagues at risk.
That’s why many employers now carry out alcohol testing in the workplace. It helps keep staff safe. It reduces the risk of costly incidents. And it supports a culture where safety comes first.
At Integrity Sampling, we’ve seen firsthand how workplace alcohol testing can reduce risk. We help businesses across NSW to deliver reliable, professional alcohol testing services—on-site, around the clock, and wherever they’re needed.
Yes, we’ve improved—but we’re not there yet
NSW has come a long way since the early days of roadside alcohol testing. Most people now understand the risks and take responsibility. But, as the King’s Birthday blitz and the Blue Mountains crash show, some people are still taking dangerous risks.
We must keep educating, keep enforcing, and keep testing.
Because even one drink driver on our roads—or one under the influence person in our workplaces—is one too many.
FEATURED IMAGE CAPTION:
Despite decades of progress, drink driving remains a serious issue. Learn how roadside alcohol testing in NSW is helping to reduce risk and why workplace testing matters too. Credit Highway Patrol Images.
If you’re a business owner or manager in NSW, talk to us at Integrity Sampling about how we can help you reduce risk with workplace alcohol testing. We’ve got the experience, the team and the reach, with 12 locations throughout NSW, to help keep your people—and the public—safe.
