Swain proposes lowering alcohol level for drivers

11.45am


Proposals to almost halve the drink driving limit are expected to go to the cabinet before Christmas, it was reported today.

Transport Minister Paul Swain signalled earlier this year that a reduction in the limit was part of his overall plan to reduce to road death toll.

The Dominion Post reported he was close to securing cabinet approval for reducing the level from 80 to 50 milligrams per 100 millilitres of blood.

The cabinet is likely to discuss it, and possibly sign it off, on December 15.

Legislation will be necessary to change the law, and Parliament will deal with it next year.

The proposed reduction means three small glasses of wine would push some drivers over the limit.

Mr Swain's road toll plan aims at reducing the number of deaths to less than 300 a year.

Last year there were 403 fatalities.

There are different opinions about how effective a reduced alcohol limit will be, but the Land Transport Safety Authority calculates 15 lives a year would be saved if a zero tolerance for teenagers was introduced at the same time.

- NZPA


Herald Feature: Road safety