Bars staying busy as drivers have less alcohol

Phil Sentch

Northland bars are seeing a change in drinking behaviour, as a result of the lower alcohol limit.

It has been just over a month since the alcohol limit was lowered from 400mcg of alcohol per litre of breath to 250mcg, for drivers aged 20 and over. Under the new limit, drivers caught between 251mcg and 400mcg will receive an instant $200 fine, 50 demerit points and a ban from driving for 12 hours but no criminal conviction.

Driving with more than 400mcg breath/alcohol remains a criminal offence.The limit for drivers under 20 remains at zero. Bars in Whangarei and surrounding areas have noticed a change in people's drinking behaviours, as opposed to an impact in trade.

Nick Keene, owner of Schnapper Rock in Tutukaka and Bank St Social Club in Whangarei, said people were being conscious of their drinking. "Low-alcohol beer sales have gone up," he said.

As result he has increased the range of low and non-alcoholic options.

Mr Keene said he was not sure if the lowered limit was warranted, especially in terms of rural pubs, but he and other operators were taking a positive approach. "The new alcohol limit is something we've got to deal with and we want to be positive about it," he said.

In Tutukaka, the licensed premises have banded together to offer a minivan service for $5, to get people to and from the establishments.

Parua Bay Tavern director, Murray Owles, said in the first few weeks after the law change regulars were unsure of their drinking limits.

However, the pub celebrated its busiest Christmas and New Year season in 10 years. "Any negative effects of the new drink driving limit have been absorbed by other positive scenarios such as weather, the price of petrol and most significantly, the substantial increase in visitors to our coastal paradise," he said.

Phil Sentch, Northland Representative for Hospitality New Zealand said overall people had changed their behaviour.