Police plea for drivers to be wise
"Nationally we're focusing on the slogan 'we want you home for Christmas' because there have been too many people killed on the roads."
Senior Sergeant John Bleackley
Drink-driving may be on the decline in New Zealand – but during the festive season, Kiwis are just at risk as ever from the potentially fatal problem.
And, with Christmas and endof-year work parties in full swing, police are reminding people to think before they get behind the wheel. Police statistics show there were about 20,000 drink-drivers in 2016. Close to 14,000 of that number were male drivers.
Despite a nationwide slowdown in drink-driving, alcohol is still the leading known aspect in impairment-related crashes.
Last year, more than 20 per cent of drivers who died on New Zealand’s roads were above the legal limit. ‘‘It’s about making good choices beforehand: Know how you’re going to get home,’’ said Senior Sergeant John Bleackley.
In December, road policing is being focused on alcohol and with a number of groups deployed around high-risk areas.
‘‘Nationally we’re focusing on the slogan ‘we want you home for Christmas’ because there have been too many people killed on the roads.’’
Bleackley said the road toll had increased every year since 2013.
This year is on track for the worst since 2010, with the toll standing at 378.
Alcohol is often a factor in fatal road deaths: In 2016 at least 20 per cent of drivers who died on the roads were above the legal limit.
The lower alcohol limit, 250mg down from 400mg, often catches drivers out who overestimate how much they can drink and still be under the limit.
Bleackley said the limit was lower to ensure the road was safe for all users.
‘‘We’ve put a lot more resources into looking for drink-drivers.
‘‘Recently our units stopped two mothers within two days of each other who were well over the limit.’’ One of the women was stopped about three o’clock in the afternoon and the other was at six o’clock in the evening.
In addition, in one of the cases there was an unrestrained child in the car.
‘‘These drivers made poor decisions. Imagine the devastation for their families or other road users if something fatal had happened.’’
Bleackley said police recommended people waited 12 hours from their last drink before they got behind the wheel.