New Zealand:drink drive laws

A research poll in new Zealand has found that 63% of adults polled felt that the blood alcohol limit for driving should be reduced  from 80mg to 50mg per 100ml of blood ,and medical experts are supporting the proposed change.

Only New Zealand, Britain, Canada and United States still have an 80mg level.  50mg is the international "threshold above which the likelihood of having an accident greatly increases".  The survey also found 84% supporting a zero blood alcohol limit for under-20 year old drivers.

A blood alcohol level of 80mg presents in slurred speech and unsteady coordination and would certainly lead to a lack of coordination behind the wheel of a car. Other researchers contend that a blood alcohol level of 80mg would mean a driver would be four times more likely to have an accident than one with 50mg of alcohol.

New Zealand already carries out compulsory breath testing, but this has failed to bring down the number of alcohol related accidents, and the huge problem of repeat transgressions. It is not uncommon for drivers to be convicted four or five times and still be driving. The Transport Minitser Steven Joyce is under strong pressure to introduce measures to significantly reduce alcohol related accidents.