Young people and recidivist drink drivers won't be allowed any booze before hitting the roads, but the Government has yet to decide whether other drivers should face lower limits.
Transport Minister Steven Joyce this afternoon announced a zero drink drive limit for recidivist drink drivers and drivers aged under 20 from early next year.
Drivers who caused death because of dangerous or drunken behaviour would face tougher jail sentences and the Government would introduce alcohol interlocks - devices which stop a vehicle from starting if the driver has been drinking - for repeat drink drivers.
However, Mr Joyce said the Government was yet to decide on whether to lower the blood alcohol limit from 80 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood to 50mg and wants more research done first.
Alcohol was a factor in almost one in three fatal crashes.
"By targeting those identified as most likely to break the law - namely those with a history of offending and young people - we're confident we'll have a significant impact," Mr Joyce said.
The Government would decide whether to lower the level more generally after conducting New Zealand-specific research on the level of risk posed by drivers with a blood alcohol limit of between 0.05 and 0.08 (50mg-80mg).
"Part of the research will be about ascertaining the actual number of serious and fatal crashes caused by those drivers with a blood or breath alcohol level between 0.05 and 0.08."
A law change is needed to allow police to gather that data and the research will be done in the following two years.
"We need to ensure that New Zealanders understand the difference between 0.05 and 0.08 and what the likely impact a change would have on the road toll.
"Most New Zealanders, when asked, agree that the drink drive limit should be at a level of alcohol consumption that equates to a 0.05 limit. However, when you ask them whether the current 0.08 limit should be lowered to 0.05, they are split on the issue."
Road safety measures only worked if they had the broad support of road users, Mr Joyce said.
It was clear New Zealand had a sizeable drink driving problem.
"If we can get it under control, we'll see a significant reduction in the overall road toll."
Cabinet also today agreed to strengthen penalties for the following offences:
• Drink drug driving causing death.
• Dangerous reckless driving causing death.
• Illegal street racing causing death.
• Failing to stop after a crash when someone is killed.
The maximum prison term for dangerous reckless driving causing death will be doubled to up to 10 years in prison.
"With imprisonment penalties for these offences last reviewed in 1962, these changes are well overdue. Tougher sanctions will bring these penalties in line with other similar serious offences and with penalties in other jurisdictions," Mr Joyce said.
Charges of manslaughter or murder could still be used at police discretion.
