Media Statement: 27 July 2010

Zero BAC for young drivers good news for SADD

The package of measures announced by government yesterday afternoon to tackle our national drink driving problem are welcomed by SADD students nationally.

SADD is particularly pleased to hear the announcement of a zero drink drive limit for young drivers. National Manager for SADD, Anna Reid, says this is a great step forward in reducing the harm caused on our roads by young drivers – a group overrepresented in all key statistics relating to drink driving.

“For over 20 years SADD students have been advocating for sober driving amongst their peers, educating young people to realise that even one drink is one too many. Today we know that the law will soon match up to our key messages,” says Miss Reid.

“In New Zealand, 15-19 year old drivers at the current legal limit are 15 times more likely to die in a road crash than a sober driver aged 30 or over. Teenagers are inexperienced drivers, so with the current legal limit we were adding risk to risk.

“Changes to the law are long overdue and our students will be pleased now to have the opportunity to further push out the sober driving message to young drivers in preparation for the law coming into effect.”

The law change will clear up a lot of confusion for young drivers, says Ms Reid, and SADD believes a zero limit will send a clear message.

“Our members have long been telling us the difficulties they have with addressing the current legal limit. Their peers are confused by what the legal limit represents in terms of drinks and this has often led to misjudgment and poor decisions. A zero limit will clear this up for young drivers and keep them, their passengers and other road users much safer in the process.”

SADD is also pleased to see tougher penalties for recidivist drink drivers and measures to see the worst offenders off the road when drinking.

“Many of the victims of drink driving that SADD has worked with over the years have experienced tragic losses at the hands of recidivist drink drivers.”

They are the most dangerous group on our roads, Ms Reid says, and SADD hopes the new measures and tougher penalties will more effectively target those drivers whose behaviour inevitably results in serious harm or the loss of life.

SADD will be launching activities and key messages around the law change during its upcoming SADD Awareness Week (9-15 August). The week has a national theme of ‘Student Movement – pushing for positive culture change’.

During the week, SADD students throughout New Zealand will undertake activities and campaigns in their schools and communities to promote healthier, safer behaviour and attitudes in relation to alcohol and preventing drink driving.

ENDS

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