26 July 2010 Media Statement

Government kicks drink drive issue for touch

Labour’s Transport Safety spokesperson Darien Fenton says that the government’s announcement today is an attempt to kick the drink drive issue for touch rather than acting decisively.

“Labour would support the lowering of the alcohol limit, because anything that will save lives on our roads is worth doing,” says Ms Fenton.

“Today’s announcement clearly shows Transport Minister Steven Joyce was over-ruled by his cabinet colleagues who were too scared to lower the blood alcohol level.

“Seventy three percent of drink drive offenders in 2007 were first time prosecutions, so only targeting recidivist offenders in today’s announcement, does nothing to tackle the majority of people who drink and drive.

“We continue to see recidivist drink driving and I agree there should be a zero alcohol driving limit for anyone already convicted of such an offence.

“But we also need to ensure that there is more effective treatment for people who clearly have a problem."

Ms Fenton says that around a quarter of drivers in crashes involving alcohol have previously been caught drink driving.

“If someone has alcohol addiction problems, it's unlikely that they will change their behaviour based on penalties and fines.

“They need treatment, or they will be back on the roads, endangering their lives and those of others.

“The government needs to address this problem if they are serious about reducing alcohol related driving injuries and deaths,” Ms Fenton says .

ENDS

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