Teens just not ready for booze
A coroner is urging the Government to raise the drinking age to 20 after the death of a 19-year-old drink-driver.
Blenheim butcher George Bernard Holland was killed in the early hours of August 6, 2017, when he failed to give way at a one-way bridge in Marlborough, colliding head-on with a heavy truck and trailer.
Holland, who that night drank about 12 cans of beer while on a ‘‘boys weekend’’ in Murchison, also had MDMA (ecstasy) and cannabis in his system.
Coroner David Robinson said the crash could have been prevented if Holland adhered to the zero alcohol level for drivers under 20.
In his findings, released yesterday, the coroner referred to extensive research in recommending the Government return the minimum alcohol purchase age to 20 with no exceptions. The alcohol purchase age was reduced in December 1999. One study, found ‘‘significantly’’ more alcohol-involved crashes among 15 to 19-year-olds in the four years following while a more recent study found the number of alcohol-related crashes in this age group increased from 102 in 2014 to 142 in 2017.
‘‘There appears to be incontrovertible evidence of a direct link between the lowering of the alcohol purchasing age in 1999 and an increase in the incidence of injury and fatal accidents involving alcohol impaired drivers aged 15-19 years,’’ the coroner said.
In his report, the coroner cited almost 20 research papers from New Zealand and overseas on the effects of alcohol on drivers.
‘‘Ultimately, the safety of road users comes down to the decisionmaking of individuals.
‘‘Mr Holland’s death, and untold others like it, could have been prevented by individuals applying common sense.’’
In the absence of drivers applying common sense the coroner said it was ‘‘incumbent on the State’’ to further restrict access to alcohol.
‘‘Regrettably the opportunity afforded by development of the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012 was missed and key measures known to reduce alcohol harm to those in Mr Holland’s demographic did not form part of the legislation.’’
His request echoes the Law Commission’s recommendation in 2010 to increase the drinking age.
Political response
Professor Doug Sellman, of Otago University’s National Addiction Centre, urged the Government to listen to the coroner.
‘‘Coroners are ideally placed to witness the damage that alcohol is inflicting on New Zealand as well as be in the position to make informed and authoritative public comment.’’
Sellman said increasing the age to 20 would have a significant impact on the ‘‘disconnected heavy drinking culture’’ among youth.
The coroner sent his draft recommendations to the Ministers of Transport, Police, Justice and Health.
Minister of Police Stuart Nash said the Sale and Supply Act was administered by the Ministry of Justice but his personal view was the age should be left at 18.
Justice Minister Andrew Little has not responded to requests for comment.
Transport Minister Phil Twyford said the matters raised were part of Acting Associate Minister of Transport James Shaw’s responsibilities. No substantive response was received.
Minister of Health Dr David Clark noted the coroner’s comments.