Bill will save lives and make roads safer

Parliament has a chance to make New Zealand roads safer and save lives after my Members’ Bill to reduce the allowable blood alcohol limit was pulled from the ballot today, Labour’s Associate Health spokesperson Iain Lees-Galloway says.

“Police last week told the Law and Order Select Committee the single most effective measure Parliament can make to reduce the road toll is to reduce the drink drive limit.

“A Ministry of Transport survey found 80 per cent of New Zealanders believe drivers shouldn’t get behind the wheel if they have had more than about two standard drinks.

“My Bill will do just that by reducing the current allowable blood alcohol content from 0.08g to 0.05g per 100mls of blood when driving. It also reduces the current breath alcohol limit from 400 micrograms of alcohol per litre of breath to 250 micrograms.

“The evidence to support this change is strong. A United Kingdom drug and alcohol expert has estimated this measure could reduce our road toll by two-thirds by altering driver behaviour.

“I attempted to reduce the blood alcohol limit last year ago with an amendment to the Alcohol Reform Bill. That was defeated in Parliament by one vote.

““I call on all political parties to support my Bill and make New Zealand’s roads safer for drivers, passengers, cyclists and pedestrians,” Iain Lees-Galloway says.

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