FINES NOW, GAOL LATER

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32522, 4 February 1971, Page 1

FINES NOW, GAOL LATER

“I am imposing only monetary and disqualification penalties at the moment because I feel the public need warning of the new laws concerning excessive alcohol which came into effect on Monday,” said Mr K. H. J. Headifen, S.M., in the Magistrate’s Court yesterday. “However, in future defendants can expect greater penalties and even gaol sentences,” he said.

The new legislation allows for a maximum of three months imprisonment or q. $4OO fine, or both, for drivers exceeding the permitted level of 100 milligrams of alcohol to 100 millilitres of blood. A term of five years imprisonment or a $lOOO fine,

or both, may be imposed for causing bodily injury or death while driving under the influence of drink or drugs or with an excessive concentration of alcohol.

Thirty-seven excessivealcohol charges were called yesterday and 27 of the defendants were fined and disqualified. The others were remanded.

The lightest penalty imposed was a $5O fine and six months disqualification for an alcohol level of 111 milligrams. A fine of $l5O, with 18 months disqualification, was imposed on a driver with an alcohol level of 205 milligrams, and a $2OO fine and a two-year disqualification for an alcohol level of 236 milligrams.