Editorial: Alcohol change vital

Lowering the alcohol level tolerance will be a good deterrent from drink driving.

The lowering of the alcohol limit can only be described as a positive step towards saving lives on our roads.

Cabinet has approved the lowering of the limit from 80mg per 100ml of blood to 50mg for drivers over 20.

A two-year review of the impact of a 30mg reduction in the limit suggests about 3 lives will be saved and 64 injury-causing crashes avoided each year.

That equates to $200 million in social costs over 10 years.

The Rotorua Daily Post has been a strong advocate when it comes to deterring drink-driving.

In 2008, we were the first newspaper in New Zealand to publish a list of all the people who appeared in court for drink-driving.

Other newspapers soon copied the idea but all publications were forced to stop earlier this year as a result of the New Zealand police having privacy concerns.

With alcohol impairment a major cause of road accidents in New Zealand - on average 61 fatalities, 244 serious injuries and 761 minor injuries occur on our roads - it was vital the Government looked to do something to reduce these shocking figures.

While many will think the new limit has been too long in the making it was wise not to rush into any knee-jerk reaction.

The new level will also bring with it new penalties.

Under the changes, returning a positive test between 50mg and 80mg will bring with it a $200 fine and 50 demerit points.

However, testing positive to more than 80mg will remain a criminal offence.