AIS content pillars:

1. AIS to share survey Insights and national trends: Share key findings from the survey and uncover what they reveal about attitudes across Australia.
   
2. Parental influence and teen driver safety: Highlight how parents’ habits, education, and conversations shape teen decision-making behind the wheel.
   
3. Regional perspectives: Break down results and behaviours by state and territory to drive local relevance and media interest.
   
4. Legal and regulatory environment: Explore current laws, penalties, and what parents and young drivers need to know about alcohol-influenced driving (this will link to the existing pages on the AIS site that were developed as part of the foundational works) 
   
5. Behavioural psychology a social norms: Examine why people take risks on the road, and how to change mindsets through education - highlighting how AIS provides links to relevant sites. 
   
6. Prevention tools and education resources: Offer tips, tools, and tech (e.g. personal breathalysers, driving apps) to reduce risk and promote responsibility.
   
7. Youth engagement and peer culture: Focus on how to empower young people to look out for each other and speak up in relation to saying no to drink driving.
   

How Parents Shape the driving habits of Australia’s next generation

Parents paint the future with the lessons they teach their kids. Across Australia parents with children entering their late teens start to play very close attention to the driving habits that they’re imparting.

Speeding, texting while driving, and driving under the influence represent dangerous behaviors that, when learned early, can become deadly patterns lasting a lifetime. Yet, this critical window also presents an unprecedented chance to instill responsible driving practices that will protect not only new drivers but every person who shares the road with them.

Drink driving habits by state

Let's start with some sobering statistics on adult and teen driver safety Australia parents should know. Although data varies by state and age, a few problems prove pervasive among all of Australia's drivers. Prime among them? Drink driving.

Recent NRMA research has revealed alarming trends across the country, with the Central Coast emerging as NSW's most problematic region. Over 900 motorists were caught driving over the legal limit during 2022 across the region, significantly outpacing other high-risk zones, including Sydney's CBD (579 incidents), Blacktown (567), the Northern Beaches (455), Penrith (339), and Canterbury-Bankstown (249).

Regional statistics reflect broader national concerns about alcohol-impaired driving. Nationwide surveys indicate that 14% of Australian drivers admit to driving while over the legal limit within the past six months. Perhaps more troubling is the widespread ignorance about basic drink driving laws: more than one-third of young drivers aged 18 to 27 don't know their state's legal blood alcohol content (BAC) limit, and nearly half of all Australians surveyed cannot accurately estimate how many drinks they could consume while remaining legally able to drive.

How to talk to your kids about responsible driving

Luckily, conversations about teen driver safety don’t have to be as awkward as the one about the ‘birds and the bees.’ Take inspiration from this article by starting with an overview of cold hard facts. If your child is old enough to obtain their learners permit and old enough to get behind the wheel, they’re old enough for a hard conversation relating to driver responsibility. Teens need to know there are consequences to mishandling their new responsibility, and real-world references offer the best means of hammering that message home.

Beyond sharing statistics, make these conversations ongoing rather than one-time events. Establish clear family rules about driving - no exceptions for alcohol, drugs, or phone use behind the wheel. Consider creating a driving contract that outlines expectations and consequences, signed by both parents and the teens. Most importantly, model the behavior you want to see. Your teenager will learn more from watching how you drive than from any lecture you could give them.

Alcohol Interlock Systems as an interim solution to public safety

Hopefully, there will be a future where drunk driving is no longer an issue . Getting there starts with establishing good habits in our country's youngest drivers and shifting behaviors and societal norms. 

In the event of a conviction, the alcohol interlock schemes are intended to both punish offenders while using alcohol interlock systems as a preventative tool to counter repeat offending amongst drink drivers.

In the interim, everyone on the road can feel safer thanks to alcohol interlock laws and the alcohol interlock service providers that keep life-saving rehabilitation programs running.

What are Alcohol Ignition Devices?

Alcohol ignition devices, also known as alcohol interlocks or breath alcohol ignition interlock devices (BAIIDs), are safety mechanisms installed in vehicles to prevent drunk driving. If the device detects alcohol above a preset limit (typically around 0.02% BAC), the vehicle won't start.

In Australia, alcohol interlocks are mandatory for certain drink-driving offenders in most states and territories. They serve as both a deterrent and a rehabilitation tool, allowing offenders to maintain their driving privileges while ensuring public safety.

Affordable Interlock Systems

Affordable Interlock Systems are one of Australia’s leading providers of alcohol interlock systems. These systems form a vital part of the enforcement and education process for those convicted of a drink-driving fence across each state and territory jurisdiction. To learn more about our offering, obtain a quotation and installation cost please click on this link.