‘Wrong Decision’ On Drink-Drive Limit - NZNO
The New Zealand Nurses Organisation (NZNO) is disappointed the government has not lowered the drink-drive limit for
those aged over 20.
In a package of drink-drive measures announced yesterday, including a zero drink-drive limit for those under 20, the
government has kept the current limit for those aged over 20 at 80 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood.
“This is the wrong decision. New Zealand’s drink-drive limit is one of the highest in the world and there is sound
evidence already available that lowering it to 50 mg will save lives,” NZNO president Nano Tunnicliff said.
“As nurses we deal directly with the effects of drinking and driving, treating both victims and perpetrators An enormous
amount of health professionals’ time and a huge amount of money is spent attending to the results of drunk drivers.
Lowering the drink-drive limit to 50mg would have profound health, social and financial benefits. We are very sorry the
government has backed away from this measure,” Tunnicliff said.
ENDS