The Great Ocean Road in Victoria is a scenic marvel, a place where the ocean’s majesty meets the rugged Australian landscape.
It’s a popular destination for tourists seeking to experience Australia’s natural beauty. However, for one US tourist, a routine encounter on this iconic route turned into an unexpected cultural exchange that left him both puzzled and impressed.
Scott Clendaniel, an American traveller exploring the coastal wonders with his wife Maria, was taken aback when he was pulled over by the police, not for any wrongdoing, but for a practice unfamiliar to him.
In Australia, Random Breath Tests or RBTs are a common sight, especially during long weekends and public holidays, as part of the country’s proactive approach to road safety.
For Scott, who was still adjusting to driving on the left side of the road, the experience was a novelty. ‘We were leaving the beautiful beach park, and I noticed that there was a traffic stop.
I thought they were probably checking licenses because that happens in the States as well,’ he recounted.
But instead of a license check, he was asked to blow into a device that measures blood alcohol content (BAC).
The concept of being stopped by police without probable cause might raise eyebrows in the US, where such checks are typically conducted only if a driver exhibits signs of impairment or engages in dangerous driving behaviour.
In contrast, Australian law enforcement officers can request a breath test from any driver at any time, a measure aimed at deterring drunk driving.
Scott’s encounter was not only swift but also pleasant, with the officer even inquiring about his holiday.
He walked away from the experience with a positive view of the RBT process, suggesting that it could be beneficial if implemented in his home state of Alaska, where he believes it could help address high rates of drink-driving.
Maria’s social media post of the video of Scott’s RBT sparked a conversation among Australians, who were surprised to learn that such practices are not commonplace in the US.
Comments ranged from expressions of disbelief to affirmations of the friendliness of Aussie cops compared to their American counterparts.
‘RBTs are a way of life in Australia. Unlike the USA, Australia doesn’t need to do a sobriety test before doing breath tests for driving under the influence, and they need no reason to test,’ one social media user explained, highlighting the cultural differences in road safety enforcement.
The effectiveness of RBTs in Australia is reflected in the statistics. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the US sees a staggering 34 deaths per day in drunk-driving collisions, accounting for about 30 per cent of all fatal road crashes.
Australia reports a similar percentage, but with a much smaller population, the absolute numbers are significantly lower.
Australian authorities remain vigilant, conducting RBTs to deter illegal behaviour on the roads. This proactive approach was evident during the Easter holiday period, when police discovered two drivers with mid-range BAC levels near the Royal Easter Show in Sydney.
Scott’s story is a reminder of how travel can expose us to different ways of life and governance. It also opens up a dialogue about the balance between individual rights and collective safety, a topic that resonates globally.
We at YourLifeChoices are curious to hear from our readers: What do you think about random breath testing? Have you had any experiences with RBTs, either in Australia or abroad? Share your stories and thoughts in the comments below, and let’s discuss the various approaches to keeping our roads safe.
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