Catchafire

http://www.stuff.co.nz/motoring/9360...-limit-lowered

Can't believe they have held out so long, but finally it been brought inline with most western countries.

At least this government has managed to get one thing right.

Mark Smith

But it will clog the courts up.... what the hell excuse for not lowering the limit was that? Finally some good news that might improve road safety.

scrubbedexpat094

I concur. Let's hope so. It would be good to increase the stigma around drink-driving but some people think it's a human right to be able to drive a car whatever they've imbibed, inhaled, injected etc.

BEVS

Very, very pleased to read this.

pippalonghorn

I was pleased to read this but did you guys know that if someone is caught who is at the old limit then it is not a criminal offence? It is just a fine of $200 - Anywhere between the old and new limit.

I dont think it's enough.

Bellasmum

Catchafire

Well spotted pippa

Kind takes the sting out of the legislation.

Hope anyone over the old limit gets eaten by Gerry Brownlee

Robbie2010

It wont make much difference ... The chances of getting caught are very slim!

Persephone

That will make the limit lower than it is in the UK. It's 80mg/100ml in both NZ and the UK currently. Not saying lowering it is a bad thing

I think increasing the stigma around drink driving needs to be worked on though, peer pressure is a very powerful tool. Make it easier not to drink as well, I struggle to find anything I like in pubs that isn't alcoholic and drinking water all night gets boring. Luckily Mr S doesn't really drink and is happy to drive

bearskin

Around here, it's not uncommon to get stopped and tested for blood alcohol about 3 times a year. The roadblocks go up and everyone gets stopped and tested. It can be quite a big operation with about 20 coppers involved at one scene. I've heard of blitzes as well where one area is sealed off - every road out of one location has checkpoints.
If only the message would get through - not unlike kiwis devotion to speeding, another killer.

TommyLuck

Am I reading the press right?

It all refers to the blood measurement reducing, nothing about the breath test?

I suppose, by law one could request a blood test, but the breath test would be the beginning of most drink driving enquiries by PC Plod.

Blood tests often take place hours after being pulled over and breathalised, after you've been taken to the station, a doctor has been called out to take the sample ... etc ...

If the breath test hasn't changed too (400mcg/litre in NZ compared to 350mcg/litre in UK) along with the fact that the penalties are pretty lame for being caught at the old limit - I'd say that this is a pretty crappy attempt.

Personified by an aritcle on page A3 of the The New Zealand Herald today - an article which seeks to give you guidance on how much you can drink with the new limits.

Give me strength. No wonder Kiwi's have a habit and culture of drink driving. The carefree attitude of this article typifies this.

pippalonghorn

I am in total agreement with you.

gazmac

I find that motor insurance not being compulsory is another contentious topic.

Tom1983

It was late in because they needed to do research - according to Gerry Brownlee

Research, what research! It's so blatently obvious the affects of alcohol. Don't even think to say it'll punish the sensible alcohol drivers, there is no such thing

Not only is he absolutely useless being the Earthquake recovery minister, he's useless as transport minister.

TommyLuck

So, in summary; Brownlee is useless?