A Coonamble driver on the Alcohol Interlock Program says they shouldn’t have to travel to Dubbo to service their compliance devices.
Car-installed interlocks require drivers serving a court order for drink driving to blow a zero blood alcohol level for their vehicle to start.
People on the program have to service their locks monthly, but the closest approved mechanics are in Dubbo, Cobar and Gunnedah.
Transport for NSW estimates that the average cost of participating in the inter-lock program is in the vicinity of $2800.
Heath ‘Shrek’ Nolan says the trip is costing him, and other local participants, time and money well beyond the usual costs of the program.
“I accept the fact that I’ve got an interlock in my car. That’s fine. I accept that. Lesson learned for sure there. But the part where you have to go to Dubbo all the time is just insane,” he said.
“Put into account days off work, fuel and then the actual cost of it [installation and servicing], that’s pretty significant.
“It’d be easy if it was just in Coonamble because then you can just take an hour off work and duck in and get it done. And then for people in Carinda or Quambone or Walgett or Baradine, they can just duck to Coonamble. There’s a lot of places in between that have to go.”
There are four government-authorised interlock providers in NSW, with Smart Start Australia and Draeger being the only two operating in Dubbo.
If a driver fails to blow zero, a report goes to Transport for NSW (Transport) and they have to travel for an unscheduled service within seven days.
“If they do not attend within this timeframe to have the device reset, the device will lock out and the vehicle cannot be started,” a Transport spokesperson said.
“While Transport acknowledges this may cause inconvenience, these measures are in place to deter people from driving under the influence of alcohol.”
But Mr Nolan says it is more than inconvenience, and that the current rules effectively penalise drivers who live further away from the licensed interlock agents by adding significant extra cost.
Barwon MP Roy Butler agrees.
He says people in Coonamble, and further west, are being punished “above and beyond what the court decided.”
“Interlock programs are good programs. It means that those who have made the mistake of drink-driving can remain mobile when a court deems that an interlock is appropriate,” he said.
“However, depending on your postcode, currently, the punishment is not equitable.
“We need more agents in locations like Coonamble so people can access services locally without risking a half-day on the road.”
In the 12 months to June 2025, police proceeded against 41 people in Coonamble Shire for drink-driving offences, according to the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR).
Thirty-one of them were taken to court and ten were pursued for a fine.
The number of proceedings in that period was more than 40 per cent higher than in any 12-month period over the last five years.
BOCSAR said they do not have specific information on court-ordered interlocks readily available.
Verbal advice from local police is that the number of drink-driving incidents has spiked again in the past couple of months.
Could local mechanics become interlock agents?
Any auto electrician in NSW can apply with a provider to become an interlock agent.
Transport for NSW confirmed that providers must have agents within 150 kilometres of a client, as the crow flies.
That technically covers Coonamble, although the direct road route to Dubbo is about 165 kilometres.
Baradine sits on the cusp, being 151 kilometres from the nearest agent in Gunnedah.
Residents in rural areas north and west of Coonamble fall outside the 150-kilometre radius, along with Quambone, Carinda and Walgett.
The Coonamble Times contacted Smart Start and Draeger to ask whether they would look for an agent closer to the Coonamble area.
A Smart Start member referred us back to the NSW Government.
A Draeger representative said they are open to expanding their network “and regularly seek out suitable businesses.”
“Businesses interested in becoming agents for the Alcohol Interlock Program can apply through our established application process. This process assesses several key criteria, including relevant technical qualifications, sufficient business infrastructure, and appropriate insurances to ensure all program requirements are met,” the representative said.
“Our support package includes thorough training on both the devices and the associated software, as well as access to a dedicated call centre for service agents and technical operators.
“In addition, our Service & Installation Manager is available to provide further guidance and support.”
Providers may also consider commercial viability and closeness to existing agents when they decide on applications.
The Times also asked local mechanics if they would consider becoming an interlock agent.
Scott Moody from Moody’s Motors said he intends to look into the idea.
“It’s something we’ve been thinking about inquiring about for quite some time,” he said.
“I just need five minutes to do it.”
Other local mechanics and auto electricians said they could be interested in being an agent if they knew more about pricing, training and knowledge requirements.