A new bill to lower the adult breath alcohol limit has been introduced into Parliament this week – following this month's Government announcement to lower the blood-alcohol limit.
The Land Transport Amendment Bill 2013 will lower the adult breath alcohol limit from 400 micrograms of alcohol per litre of breath to 250 mcg.
A new bill has been introduced to lower the breath alcohol limit for over 20 year olds.
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On November 4, the Government announced it approved lowering the blood alcohol limit from 80 to 50 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood for driver over 20 years old, with the legislation set to have its first reading in Parliament before Christmas. The Land Transport Amendment Bill 2013 was introduced by Transportation Minister Gerry Brownlee on Wednesday. 'This change will make out roads safer, save lives and prevent serious injuries. 'Alcohol and driving continues to be a major problem in New Zealand, with alcohol-impaired drivers being involved in around 30 per cent of fatal crashes annually.” Gerry feels heartened by the positive reaction to this change. 'I am confident that lowering the drink-drive limit will make a difference to our road toll without needing to criminalise people at the lower level of the offending range.” Drivers who commit an offence between 251-400 mcg of alcohol per litre of breath will face a $200 fine and will receive 60 demerit points. Drivers in this range will not be able to elect an evidential blood test. But Drivers who accumulate 100 or more demerit points from driving offences within two years will receive a three-month suspension of their driver licence. |
Gerry believes the infringement regime is not a soft option.
'The allocation of 50 demerit points is expected to deter the majority of people who value having a driver's licence.”
The bill is expected to be referred to a select committee before Christmas and passed in 2014.
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