All drink drivers and those caught with illegal drugs in New South Wales will have their licences confiscated on the spot under tough laws being introduced in the Australian state.

Set to be introduced on 20 May, the new rules will instantly cancel the driving licence of drink drivers who are first-time and lower range offenders for a period of three months.

In addition, the offenders will be issued with a penalty of A$561 ($394).

NSW transport and roads minister Andrew Constance said: “This means anyone caught drink‐driving in NSW, at any level, including low-range, can now lose their licence immediately.

“This reform makes it clear if you break the law, you will pay the price. We are taking a zero-tolerance approach to drink and drug driving.”

Under the new laws, simpler and more certain fines will also be imposed on drug drivers.

“This reform makes it clear if you break the law, you will pay the price.”

Offenders caught driving with illegal drugs for the first time, will be fined and get a three-month licence suspension, if the offence is confirmed by laboratory analysis.

This comes after the alcohol-related accidents claimed the lives of at least 68 people on NSW roads last year, accounting for nearly one in five road deaths, including 55 lives lost on country roads.

In addition, crashes involving a drug driver accounted for similar numbers of deaths.

Constance added: “Drivers who have an illegal level of alcohol in their blood or have used illegal drugs have no place on the road.”

Assistant Police Commissioner Michael Corboy said that the new rules will safeguard all road users by ensuring swift and certain penalties.

Corboy stated: “Alcohol is one of the major factors in crashes that kill or injure people on NSW roads. The 0.05 blood alcohol limit has been in place for almost 38 years. There are no more excuses.”