Manjimup police reward sober drivers with cash vouchers

Police in Manjimup, Western Australia, have launched an unconventional road safety campaign by rewarding sober drivers with cash vouchers. Throughout September, motorists who pass breathalyzer tests with a zero alcohol reading can receive a voucher worth AU$ 20.

The initiative aims to promote road safety during a high-traffic period marked by school holidays and Australian football finals. A total of 100 vouchers, valued at AU$ 2,000, are being distributed. The program is funded by Holyoake, an organization supporting individuals with alcohol and drug dependencies, rather than the police budget.

While the local road safety committee hopes positive reinforcement will encourage better driving behavior, some criminologists view the move as a public relations exercise designed to improve community relations between the police and the public. Experts note that while the long-term impact on reducing drunk driving remains to be seen, immediate positive feedback can influence driver behavior.