I don't think drink driving penalties are harsh enough.

[BA GT-HO]

I have never really been affected by a drink driver until yesterday. I won't go into details besides saying I came across an accident site where a serial drink driver had blown 0.4 after swerving into the opposite lane and crashing into an innocent motorist (who is fine besides shock). Considering this person had just got his license back 3 months ago after having it suspended for 18 months for drink driving got me wondering what sentence would likely be imposed on him.

I did a google search and found most serial drink drivers (by that I mean getting caught more than once with a reading above 0.15) get their licenses suspended for 5 or so years and a fine ranging between $1000-$2500 and sometimes a suspended jail term of 3-6 months.

Is this really good enough? I think not. There should be a minimum 1 year jail if you offend twice within 5 years with a reading above 0.15. Then take the license off the person for 15 years minimum. Clearly when you are that drunk YOU KNOW you are over the limit, yet you still choose to endanger lives. My driving teacher always taught me DRIVING IS A PRIVELAGE NOT A RIGHT.

If the Government was serious about cutting the road toll it would impose way harsher penalties for drink driving that 6 months suspended license and such.