Zero alcohol for under 20 drivers

The Herald reports:

The Government intends imposing a zero alcohol level on drivers under 20, Transport Minister Steven Joyce has confirmed.

He said today it was part of a package aimed at reducing the road death toll, which was 60 per cent per capita higher than Australia’s.

Mr Joyce said the zero alcohol level for drivers under 20 still had to be signed off by the Cabinet.

“I think it is likely to get through,” he said on Radio New Zealand.

Heh, I doubt Steven would be announcing it unless he knew it would get through 🙂

“We do need to take a systematic approach to the issues around young people dying on our roads.”

At present teenage drivers have a 30mg alcohol limit.

Mr Joyce said there would also be proposals in the package covering drivers up to age 24.

I am supportive of a zero blood alcohol limit for under 20 year old drivers.

The current limit of 30mg sends out a mixed message. It is close to a de facto zero limit (a couple of quick drinks could put you over) but it means that the message is you can drink a bit and drive.

For teenagers, whose crash stats are appalling, a simple message does better – simply if you are the driver, you should not drink at all.