1
2009
Australian Crime and Violence Prevention Awards
MEDIA RELEASE 29 OCTOBER 2009
QLD DRINK DRIVING REHABILITATION RECEIVES ANTI-CRIME AWARD
An innovative Queensland rehabilitation program for drink drivers has won national recognition at the
2009 Australian Crime and Violence Prevention Awards (ACVPA).
The ‘Under the Limit’ Drink Driving Education and Rehabilitation Program (UTL) is an 11-week course
offered in association with a probation order through the Queensland Magistrates Courts.
The program aims to rehabilitate drink driving offenders, reduce alcohol-related crashes and trauma
and the crime of drink driving.
The program received a National Certificate and cash award of $10,000, which was presented by
Minister for Home Affairs Brendan O’Connor at Parliament House in Canberra today.
Developed by Queensland University of Technology’s Centre for Accident Research and Road Safety –
Queensland (CARRS-Q), UTL began as a trial program in Central Queensland in 1993. By 1998, the
success of the program led to it being made available throughout the state.
Professor Jeremy Davey, Deputy Director of CARRS-Q, said the program had delivered a 55 percent
reduction in subsequent drink driving behaviour by serious repeat offenders.
“We anticipate that the positive effects of the program will increase over time, reducing alcohol-related
crashes and trauma, the incidence of drink driving, and the social and financial costs associated with
this crime,” Professor Davey said.
The program is delivered through TAFE colleges and the cost is met by offenders, 8500 of whom have
so far been referred through the program. It is also delivered via distance education, providing state-
wide access to the program for drink driving offenders.
“The program not only has an impact on the offender, but indirectly affects potential victims of drink
driving crashes by rehabilitating these high risk and serious offenders, thereby reducing the number of
crashes and associated fatalities,” the Professor said.
Minister O’Connor said the program highlights the positive outcomes which can be achieved through
rehabilitation and the need for a flexible delivery method.
“The results from this program show how re-offending can be addressed through education and training
that is accessible by those who are at risk of repeat offending,” Mr O’Connor said.
The ACVPA is a joint initiative of the Australian, State and Territory governments which rewards
outstanding community-based projects that prevent or reduce crime and violence.
Eight ground-breaking projects involving young offenders and youth at risk, Indigenous communities,
religious congregations, police and community health and safety organisations have won national
recognition this year.
For more information about the Australian Community Violence Prevention Awards visit
Media contacts: Scott Kelleher 0418 159525, Caterina Giugovaz 0418 221798.
2
2009
Australian Crime and Violence Prevention Awards
MEDIA RELEASE 29 OCTOBER 2009
PROJECT OVERVIEW: UNDER THE LIMIT DRINK DRIVING EDUCATION AND REHABILITATION
PROGRAM, QUEENSLAND
Under The Limit Drink Driving Education and Rehabilitation Program, Queensland
Begun as a pilot program in central Queensland in 1993, the 11-week drink driving prevention and
rehabilitation program that is offered in association with a probation order through the Queensland
Magistrates Courts has been successfully rolled out across the state.
The program has rehabilitated many drink-driving offenders, reduced alcohol-related crashes and
trauma and the crime of drink-driving.
Key outcomes:
8500 offenders so far referred through the program
Used as a model for similar programs in NSW, WA and the ACT
A
55 percent reduction in subsequent drink driving behaviour by serious repeat offenders
ends
Media contacts: Scott Kelleher 0418 159525, Caterina Giugovaz 0418 221798.
NEWS 
