Media Release 26 July 2010

BAC delay risking lives says MTA

The Motor Trade Association (MTA) is surprised at today’s announcement that the Government is seeking a further two years of research to determine the benefits to New Zealand’s road toll by reducing the blood alcohol level.

Our current 0.8 is already high by international standards and all authorities acknowledge that alcohol is a significant contributing factor to New Zealand’s high road toll. Further delays in bringing about a reduction to a 0.5 level seem to be unnecessarily risking more lives on our already troubled roads.

MTA spokeswoman Ana Zandi says with so many countries already at a zero level and others already in the process of reducing their levels, it’s difficult to understand what more information the government could need to make this decision.

“This decision seems out of place in what is an otherwise sensible and well rounded package of measures announced today by Transport Minister Steven Joyce. It’s hard to fathom why government is taking such an approach on the one hand and on the other, continuing to pour huge resources into cutting drink drive rates.”

We would urge the Minister to make a decision, sooner rather than much later.

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