MAYOR’S OFFICE
AUCKLAND CITY

Moving Auckland Forward

Hon John Banks QSO
Mayor of Auckland City

19 January 2004

Second offender drink-drivers should be jailed

“Until such time as Parliament tells the courts to get really tough on recidivist drink-drivers the debate will remain futile,” Auckland City Mayor Hon John Banks said today.

Mr Banks’ comments follow civil libertarians accusing police of borderline harassment by going too far in their targeting of repeat drink-driving offenders.

“The civil libertarians would serve their cause much better if they worried about the civil liberties of those people maimed and killed by drink-drivers.

“While the courts continue to pass down weak sentences on the perpetrators of this violence, chronic drink-driving will remain a serious scourge in Auckland City and around the country.

“The weak response from the judicial system sends out the strongest message that drink-driving is not considered a serious matter.

“It is as sickening as it is pathetic that you can collect eight, nine, or 10 convictions for drink-driving and still not see the inside of a prison cell.”

Mr Banks said second offender drink-drivers should go to jail. Furthermore, their cars should be confiscated and sold, with proceeds directed into driver education.

“Only then will some progress be made to get past the present vacuous debate,” he said.

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