Barron River MP Steve Wettenhall today welcomed new laws introduced to State Parliament that will see repeat drink drivers pay for the installation of alcohol interlockers in their vehicles to keep them off the road.

Mr Wettenhall said drink driving had been one of the major concerns raised at the Cairns Road Safety Summit held in November last year - and attended by Queensland Government Senior Cabinet Ministers - to address the road toll in the Far North region.

"Drink driving was identified as a major concern at last year's summit, so I'm delighted that this Government is today introducing alcohol interlockers as part of our crack down on road fatalities," Mr Wettenhall said.

"About 700 drink driving offenders are picked up on Far North Queensland roads each year," Mr Wettenhall said.

"36 repeat drink drivers were picked up in 2007, 50 in 2008, and 32 from January to November 2009."

Mr Wettenhall said the Transport Legislation Amendment Bill, introduced into State Parliament today by Transport Minister Rachel Nolan, introduces the scheme of alcohol interlocks for high-risk drink drivers.

"Alcohol interlocks are an in-vehicle breath testing instrument connected to the ignition which means that the driver must pass the breath tests to be able to start the vehicle," Mr Wettenhall said.

"To be allowed back behind the wheel, drivers will have to choose to install an interlock at their own expense for a 12 month period.

Queensland is the fifth state or territory to implement the change in line with NSW, SA, VIC and NT, who have all implemented interlock laws.

Media contact: Steve Wettenhall MP 0412 184 155