The Sober Driver Program was developed by the Department of Corrective Services, NSW,
in collaboration with the Motor Accidents Authority and the Roads and Traffic Authority.
The Sober Driver Program was introduced into Tasmanian Community Corrections in July 2008.
It has been designed specifically for repeat drink driving offenders who:
. Are over the age of 18;
. Have been convicted of two or more drink driving convictions within a 5-year period;
. Are subject to a community based order (e.g. a Probation and/or Community Service Order);
. Are directed to attend the program.
Up to 18 people may participate in each program, which consists of highly interactional group
activities. Key features of the program are the:
. Consequences of drink driving on the self and others;
. Demands of safe driving;
. Effect of alcohol and individual and driving situations;
. Management of drinking and driving situations;
. Avoidance of relapse;
. Completion of a 4-week drinking diary; and
. Completion of a step-by-step program workbook (which contains information sheets
relating to safe drinking levels).
Each Sober Driver Program is facilitated by trained Probation Officers over a 9-week period,
consisting of 1 session per week. Each program session lasts for two hours.
A condensed program,consisting of three six hour sessions, is available for offenders in remote
and rural locations.
People who are sentenced to attend and participate in the program may be breached if they do not
attend or do not participate appropriately in individual and group program activities and exercises.
If someone is breached their case is returned to Court where the Magistrate may reconsider their
sentence.
