The drink-drive war is won!

[scumdog]

NZ is one of the last with a .8 blood limit, which is arguably more accurate an assessment than the breath limits

So I have been told anyway, from sources that have more information than most.

nah, both pretty accurate - although blood tests tend not to favour the subject. (i.e.they tend to show a higher percentage of alcohol in the subjects system than the breath sample.)

Sucks if you decide to go for blood after giving a breath sample, most (like 995 out of 1,000) come back worse for the subject - and he has to pay for the Dr. being called out and the analysis of the sample...

[Viscount Montgomery]

Anyone not being able to handle three cans of beer or a skimpy glass of wine should be kicked off the road and banned from driving anyway

drunk or sober

[Genestho]

That's true Phil
However it is being studied and assessed as an option to bring NZ into line with the rest of the western democracies who police the roads for drunk driving
NZ is one of the last with a .8 blood limit, which is arguably more accurate an assessment than the breath limits

So I have been told anyway, from sources that have more information than most.
Sadly, the limit has to be generic, and cant be catered for those with higher tolerances.
It has to be set to catch those who get pissed on 2 glasses, and I for one have no issue with that fact whatsoever. Its all about the rights of EVERY road user to be safe, not about the rights of the few that CAN drink more and handle themselves to have a pass card...that's what being part of a society is about.

My 0.02

Being a part of society means taking some responsibilty for yourself.

Govt can only do so much, yet some want to take the whole population and guide them, based on high risk user stats which were proven beyond doubt as 75% of the problem, this is soley based on the data collected over the years.
You've got to measure the problem to see where the problems are.

Strangely - there were three years worth of data graphs all exact same info, with different years published in their headings; released on the MOT website - all under Labours watch
Is this indicative of the data collection at the time? No idea.

Without being rude mate - I've been in this for four years almost every step of the way.
I suggest you do more of your own research, and find out exactly what happened when limits were lowered overseas, and how inconclusive the information is - rather than quoting labour ministers whose party, when lobbied regarding limits in 2001 did jack shit, did jack shit again when lobbied in 2007.

From there, alot has been done.

I find it funny how Labour jumped on the bandwagon afterwards, when the only thing that changed was public opinion based on campaigns run by families killed by recidivist drink drivers.

Again, regardless of limits - you will still get people over the limit in the morning, strangely enough - nobody seems to have the answers to that. Why?
Because there's none. it's simple, people need to be aware - plan for it and take responsibility for that situation.

[Viscount Montgomery]

Yes, people who can't handle a few beers need to harden-up and start drinking more to increase their alcohol tolerance. Or else just don't drive. You can't be too safe.

[StoneY]

Being a part of society means taking some responsibilty for yourself.

Yes I totally agree...but I still say the limit has to be set for those who cant handle their piss

Without being rude mate - I've been in this for four years almost every step of the way.
I suggest you do more of your own research, and find out exactly what happened when limits were lowered overseas, and how inconclusive the information is - rather than quoting labour ministers whose party, when lobbied regarding limits in 2001 did jack shit, did jack shit again when lobbied in 2007.

Your not being rude mate, and I respect your opinion above many others, but there is still a strong case for the limit to be reduced, whether those with high tolerances see it as a punishment or not, I see it as setting a benchmark

I find it funny how Labour jumped on the bandwagon afterwards, when the only thing that changed was public opinion based on campaigns run by families killed by recidivist drink drivers.

Sorry mate this aint about parties, and its the sitting govt backing it not JUST the opposition...but I do see where you are coming from, years of inaction the suddenly jump on the band wagon with sketchy reasoning, your point is valid

Again, regardless of limits - you will still get people over the limit in the morning, strangely enough - nobody seems to have the answers to that. Why?
Because there's none. it's simple, people need to be aware - plan for it and take responsibility for that situation.

And here its time to own up, I am one who has been done the morning after.... I make no excuses for it either.
I was 26, I slept in my car that night outside the 21st I attended in Papkura, and the next morning at 9am ran a red light while 'hung over' and fark me blew 850!

I aint perfect, I fucked up, but I learned from that and now I stick to two beers, if driving AT all.... and give myself a far more honest assessment on 'mornings after' than I did at age 26..... would not drink and drive now if a gun was held to my head.

Ultimately, looking on my past with clear glasses on, I am just pleased I never hurt anyone.......

[Genestho]

Yes I totally agree...but I still say the limit has to be set for those who cant handle their piss:

And for what we know at this point - they are the minority.

I'm not saying that's acceptable - it's just that the problem was measured to show this.

I've debated the hell out of this topic and I'm quite relieved it's done (for now)
I'll always say a little more could be achieved, but reality is the top of the cliff is an individuals responsibility.

I support what has been done - without delving to deep:

Finally family members of drink drive deaths get financial support from the offender levy alongside homicide victims, as well as trauma counselling, this has never been available before.

We now have convicted drivers named and shamed in most local papers.

The ACC loophole has mostly closed for offenders.

Interlocks are in alongside assessment programs - the latter had to be pushed for but there was an overwhelming response.

Drink drivers seeking to have cases discharged without conviction are finding it harder to do so successfully.

There are more frequent manslaughter charges.

Drink driving causing death is now 10 years, (it could be more inline with Australia - being 14 years)
And that's just off the top of my head.

Sorry mate this aint about parties, and its the sitting govt backing it not JUST the opposition...but I do see where you are coming from, years of inaction the suddenly jump on the band wagon with sketchy reasoning, your point is valid:

Yeah, you'll have to excuse my cynicism on this one, seen too much.

And here its time to own up, I am one who has been done the morning after.... I make no excuses for it either.
I was 26, I slept in my car that night outside the 21st I attended in Papkura, and the next morning at 9am ran a red light while 'hung over' and fark me blew 850!

I aint perfect, I fucked up, but I learned from that and now I stick to two beers, if driving AT all.... and give myself a far more honest assessment on 'mornings after' than I did at age 26..... would not drink and drive now if a gun was held to my head.

Ultimately, looking on my past with clear glasses on, I am just pleased I never hurt anyone.......

I doubt there'll be many that could be excluded from this scenario. But perhaps people are more aware...
And as much as we learn, there will still be those who don't.

[scumdog]

Yes I totally agree...but I still say the limit has to be set for those who cant handle their piss.......

Sorta the same way with speed limits too...

[jazfender]

Yes, people who can't handle a few beers need to harden-up and start drinking more to increase their alcohol tolerance.

hahah yeah, good advice bro.

Obviously the answer lies in training people how to drive drunk. See everyone crashes because they're inexperienced... they don't realise that when you drink you have to use four legs to control six pedals.

DRIVER AWARENESS