The Government believes New Zealand drivers aren't ready to moderate their drinking. We know they are. So take responsibility for keeping our roads safe by signing up: Two Drinks Max.
- Sign up at nzherald.co.nz here
- Sign up on Facebook here
- Use #2DrinksMax to show support on Twitter
This country's drink-driving limit is 80mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood - the same as Britain and the United States - but Australia and most of Europe use a limit of 50mg per 100ml, also referred to as a 0.05 limit.
Only Parliament can change the law. But we can help change attitudes. Our campaign will encourage people to regulate themselves, and to not drive if they've had more than two drinks.
Middlemore Hospital emergency department head Vanessa Thornton explains why she is supporting the Two Drinks Max campaign:
Why have you signed up?
I want to prevent injuries to young people and also to the innocent parties who get caught up in drink driving.
It's important to get behind this campaign because it's about saving
lives. It does affect lots of people. I think we should all get behind it to support lowering the drink drive limit.
What is the feeling amongst medical professionals about the current drink driving legislation?
Most emergency departments are very supportive of dropping the drink driving limit. We do have to break bad news to relatives of drink
drive victims, it can be difficult but that's part of the work we do. I would hope that all doctors would support this.
Have you had any friends or family members die in a drink driving-related car crash?
No but I have seen how families can be left devastated by the death of
someone close to them.
Has drink-driving affected your life?
Tell us your story.
