Notice given of new drink-drive limits

Constable Benjamin Pawson, of South Dunedin, breath-tests and informs a motorist about the new...
Constable Benjamin Pawson, of South Dunedin, breath-tests and informs a motorist about the new lower alcohol limits for those aged 20 and over which come into force on December 1. Photo by Samantha Macpherson.

Lower adult drink-drive limits will further reduce the number of people being killed or injured on local roads, Dunedin police say.

The Land Transport Amendment Bill 2013, which comes into force on December 1, lowers the adult breath-alcohol limit from 400mcg of alcohol per litre of breath to 250mcg and cuts the blood-alcohol limit from 80mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood to 50mg.

The alcohol limit for drivers under the age of 20 will remain at zero.

Acting Southern District Road Policing manager Senior Sergeant Tania Baron said police had been handing out leaflets to drivers to inform them of what the lower alcohol limit would mean when it came into force.

Over the last five years there have been 64 fatal and serious alcohol-related injury crashes in Dunedin, which killed five people and left 79 people with serious injuries.

''Southern Police welcomes the lowered limit, which represents a significant opportunity to further reduce the number of people suffering injury or death on our local roads,'' she said.

NZTA road safety director Ernst Zollner said the lower alcohol limit would save lives and prevent serious injuries caused by drunk drivers.

''It is a game-changer for road safety in New Zealand. Drink-driving inflicts a huge amount of pain and suffering on families and communities.''

Mr Zollner said the change would send a ''clear message'' to those who put themselves and others at risk by ''driving while affected by alcohol''.

''Together with other recent changes including zero alcohol limits for teens, alcohol interlocks and new penalties for serious and repeat drink-driving offenders, this measure will make roads safer for everyone.

"With the holiday season fast approaching, the message is clear - if you're going to drink don't drive, and if you're going to drive don't drink,'' he said.

Drivers with a breath-alcohol level between 251mcg and 400mcg will be fined $200 and 50 demerit points. For those drivers who refuse or fail to undergo an evidential breath test, the fine rises to $700 plus 50 demerit points.

Drivers who accumulate 100 or more demerit points from driving offences within two years will have their driver's licence suspended for three months.

- by Samantha Macpherson  

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