The impact of random breath testing in New South Wales, December, 1982 to February, 1983

A survey to investigate the impact of random breath testing (RBT) was carried out in late February, 1983. The survey sample comprised 400 Sydney residents. In the first 10 weeks of operation, nearly half the Sydney population were directly exposed to RBT, either by being tested themselves or by driving past other people being tested. Despite this high penetration rate, many licence holders regarded their chances of being tested as lower than they were when RBT was first introduced, in December, 1982. Men, younger respondents, and heavy drinkers had higher rates of exposure to RBT, rated their chances of being tested more highly than did other groups and more often reported changes in behaviour due to RBT. However, respondents in these groups also more often reported drinking and driving since the advent of RBT. The implications of these findings for police law enforcement strategies and for the current debate on mandatory zero blood alcohol levels among provisionally licensed (P-plate) drivers are considered.