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A coroner has called for Parliament to consider imposing longer disqualification periods for drink-drivers to help curb the number of alcohol-related road deaths.
New Plymouth coroner Roger Mori made the call when making his findings into a double fatal smash on State Highway 3 near Mokau last July.
He found Clint Trinity Ratima, 32, and Jennifer Lucy Trentham, 48, died at the scene of multiple injuries when Mr Ratima's car crossed the centre line and collided head on with an oncoming vehicle.
Mr Mori said Mr Ratima was to blame for the crash as he was drunk, having spent the afternoon drinking with friends at the home of Mokau's sole-charge policeman, Jonathan Erwood. Mr Erwood, who had also been drinking, attended the crash scene and was later discharged without conviction for drink-driving.
Mr Mori said Mr Ratima had been seen driving erratically before the crash. "Clint Ratima should not have been driving. His blood alcohol limit was close to three times the legal limit."
Mrs Trentham was driving responsibly on the correct side of the road. Her husband was seriously injured in the crash and was "fortunate to be alive".
Too many accidents involved drink-drivers and something needed to be done. "My recommendation is that Parliament give serious consideration to increasing the minimum disqualification periods for drivers convicted of blood-alcohol offences."
Mr Mori said under old legislation the minimum disqualification for people convicted of drink-driving was three years. Under present legislation, it was six months for a first or second offence.
"Motor accidents cause far more deaths and serious injuries than criminal acts," he said.
"Holding a motor driver's licence is regarded as a right in this country. It should be regarded as a privilege which, if abused, is removed."
Mr Mori said higher minimum disqualification periods would act as a deterrent.
He planned to send a copy of his decision to the Transport Minister and hoped the recommendations be given serious consideration.
- NZPA
