New lower alcohol limit Dec 1

Police and road safety agencies are reminding motorists the new lower alcohol limit for adult drivers comes into effect on December 1.

Road Policing assistant commissioner Dave Cliff says from this week police staff across the country will be busy actively educating drivers about the new lower limits.


The new lower alcohol limit comes into effect on December 1. Photo: File

The new legislation lowers the adult breath alcohol limit from 400mcg of alcohol per litre of breath, to 250mcg.

The blood alcohol limit will reduce from 80mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood (0.08), to 50mg (0.05).

Dave says police welcomes the lowered limit as it represents a significant opportunity to further reduce the number of people killed and maimed on our roads

'It also lessen the lifelong impact that this has on families and in our communities.

'One of the great things is that anecdotally, many drivers already appear to be taking the new limits on board and moderating their behaviour, which is fantastic to see.”

But Dave warns that police would not be lessening its focus on those continuing to break the law who put other innocent road users at risk.

Anyone who believes police will be soft in their approach to drink-driving overall 'should think again”

'I can assure the public that anyone caught drink-driving and breaking the law can expect to face the full consequences.”

Any adult drivers who commit an offence between 251-400mcg of breath will face an infringement penalty of $200 and receive 50 demerit points.

Drivers who accumulate 100 or more demerit points from driving offences within two years will receive a three month driver licence suspension.

For drivers under 20, the limit stays at zero.

Dave says drinking and driving continued to be a factor in about 30 per cent of all fatal road crashes.

'For every 100 alcohol or drug-impaired drivers or riders who died in road crashes, 47 of their passengers and 16 sober road users die with them.

'Over the last 10 years, fatal crashes caused by drink-driving have claimed the lives of around 1,100 people and caused serious injuries to another 5,300.”

He adds that for every person killed or seriously hurt there are families, friends and whanau who are left behind grieving, or struggling to support loved ones who suffer lifelong injuries.

A nationwide NZTA public information campaign will begin soon and includes television, radio and bus shelter advertising, plus posters and coasters in pubs and other licensed premises.

National Road Safety Committee chairman and Secretary for Transport Martin Matthews says the new legislation was welcomed by road safety agencies.

It has also gained wide public support with 60 per cent of New Zealanders surveyed favouring a lower legal blood-alcohol limit for driving.

'Lowering the adult drink-drive limit was a key strategic action under Safer Journeys, the government's road safety strategy.

'International research supports our expectations that, like the zero limit for drivers under 20, this move will make a significant difference in reducing road trauma.

Martin says it will also help realise the strategy's vision of a safe road system 'increasingly free of death and serious injury”.

ACC chief executive Scott Pickering says they estimates that alcohol contributes to around 11 per cent of all injuries and vehicle crashes on the road are the main cause of serious injuries.

To avoid adding to these injury statistics ACC is asking Kiwis to plan ahead, look out for your mates and don't drink and drive, says Scott.

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7 comments

Meantime the repeat offenders get away

Posted on 31-10-2014 12:23 | By BullShtAlert

Once again, the great majority of law abiding and reasonable drinkers are targeted by this decrease in the limit. These are your average citizens who enjoy a drink, obeyed the old alcohol limits, and if caught for any traffic infringement, pay their fines. On the other hand the serial repeat drink drivers, the real criminal issue on our roads, will continue to get away with softly softly policing and penalties. I believe they ignore fines and it's only after many many repeat offences that they might actually be jailed??? But it's usually community service. Come on Police and the justice system, target the real criminal nuisances on our roads, or is that too tough?


Bring it on!

Posted on 31-10-2014 12:44 | By How about this view!

I made a decision a while ago to be a non-drinker when I need to drive. Not that big a sacrifice for a one time daily drinker. But it won't stop the dropkicks and losers from taking the chance of not getting caught. You only need to drive at night to see the risks that some are willing to take, realising that there is probably a really good chance of getting away with it. Not enough policing of vehicle roadworthyness for my liking.


Limit!!

Posted on 31-10-2014 13:02 | By Ness

It should be "zero" limit for everyone - end of story.


The real truth?

Posted on 31-10-2014 14:37 | By The author of this comment has been removed.

Police statistics show that drink-driving has been declining over the years, to the point that it is now less then 1% of drivers on the road. To justify and pay for this policing the limit had to be lowered. No, I don't condone drink driving, but I believe this is revenue gathering.


Revenue collectors

Posted on 31-10-2014 18:16 | By Bobby

Absolutely right Big Ted, just like the lowered speed tolerance during long weekends this is another way to gather tax under the pretence of making the roads safer. By the govts own estimates they will catch around 20,000 more people a year, gaining an extra $4 million. And the recidivist boozed idiots will continue to do what they have always done.


more money for the government slush fund

Posted on 31-10-2014 20:19 | By Neiliies

We all know that the drivers in the under 400mcg and below are not the ones that are causing carnage on the roads, Lets face it, this is purely revenue gathering yet again!


Fair Law

Posted on 01-11-2014 08:49 | By Blasta

We've seen these rules give results. When the 4 km/hr speed limit change was brought in, crashes dropped. I enjoy a beer with the guys after work, and am concerned about how this new law will affect that culture and the chances of me being criminalised. In saying this, if that makes me safer on the roads, and from others, we all win.


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