Dunedin Police remind drivers of alcohol risk

To be attributed to Senior Sergeant Jared Kirk of the Otago Coastal Road Policing Team.

Dunedin Police would like to remind people that the safest option is not to drink at all before driving, as any alcohol impairs your ability to drive a vehicle.

Over the weekend road-side breath testing check points were held across the city and the vast majority of the people stopped were under the limit.

However, 15 drivers were over the 250mcg limit, with seven of these over the 400mcg limit and have now been charged with driving with excess breath alcohol.

It’s clear that the message is not getting through to some drivers and they are choosing to place themselves and other road users at significant risk of injury or even death.

Alcohol and drugs seriously affect your driving by slowing your reaction times and affecting your senses and judgement.

Alcohol and drug impaired driving is the second biggest contributing factor to fatal road crashes in New Zealand.

At a blood alcohol content level of 50 milligrams of alcohol per 100ml of blood (the current legal limit for drivers 20 years or older), you are 400 percent more likely to be involved in a fatal crash compared to a driver with zero blood alcohol content.

Make safe travel plans before you start drinking and stick to them.

Plans made during or after drinking are likely to lack good judgement.

As part of the operation four drunk drivers were apprehended due to calls from the public who spotted dangerous driving.

Police thank the public for their assistance, and encourage road users to stay alert and report any dangerous driving to Police on 111

ENDS

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