New South Wales Taking Keys of DUI's

Police Closer to Confiscating

LEGISLATION giving police the power to confiscate car keys from drunk drivers was rushed through the New South Wales lower house last night.

It is due to go to the upper house today but it remains unclear if police will be able to put the new powers into effect over the Easter weekend. A spokeswoman for Transport Minister Carl Scully said the government wanted the legislation passed as soon as possible but that getting operational instructions to police in a matter of two days could prove difficult.

Police Minister Paul Whelan outlined the intent of the legislation last week. He said police would be given the power to forbid drunks from driving, confiscate their keys and hand the keys to someone capable of driving. Police could keep the keys for as long as necessary to protect drunk drivers from themselves, he said.

Mr Whelan said similar laws already existed in Tasmania and Victoria. Mr Scully also said legislation cracking down on dangerous loads would be introduced into parliament this session. Under proposed changes, owning, driving, permitting or causing a dangerously loaded vehicle to be driven would be an offence.

Anybody found liable where someone was killed or injured, or property damaged, would face up to one year in jail, Mr Scully said.