The Green Party says the Government's proposed new penalties to enforce the lowered blood alcohol limit for drivers are pathetic and derisory.
The limit will be reduced from the current level of 80 milligrams per 100 millilitres of blood to 50 milligrams for drivers over 20. In 2010, the Government introduced a zero blood alcohol limit for those aged under 20, but deferred a change for older drivers until more research was done.
Green Party MP Kevin Hague says the penalty is simply inadequate to change people's behaviour and offenders should have to face the courts. And ACT party leader John Banks says dropping the drink-driving limit doesn't address the major problem of repeat offenders. "The sanctions are a slap on the back of the wrist with a wet bus ticket."
The Drug Foundation predicts the move will save lives.
The Hospitality Association's deputy chief executive, Sara Tucker, says the move is going to be a problem for people living in rural areas. She says it is the difference between three beers and five, but it's hard to say if it will lead to a culture change in the way people drink.
