February 2, 2015 1:00pm by David Farrar

Drink walking also dangerous

A third of New Zealand pedestrians killed on the roads in the five years to 2013 were drunk, a new report says.

Ministry of Transport data on pedestrian crashes with vehicles between 2009 and 2013 showed the leading cause of pedestrian-fault crashes was “visible intoxication”, followed by “crossing heedless of traffic”.

In 49 fatalities the pedestrian was intoxicated, representing 30 per cent of all pedestrian fatalities.

How long until the Government makes it an offence to walk and be over a certain alcohol limit?

Meg Christie, convener of pedestrian advocacy group Living Streets Otautahi, said new liquor laws, including the drink driving limit falling from 400 micrograms of alcohol per litre of breath to 250mcg, meant “vulnerable” people were walking.

“People are leaving the car at home, which is great, but means they are travelling in a vulnerable state to the bus stop or on the way home,” she said.

I guess drunk walking only endangers themselves, unlike drunk driving which endangers others.