5 November 2013

Lower adult limit good news for SADD

Young people will be pleased to see the adult blood alcohol limit lowered, says Students Against Driving Drunk (SADD) Chief Executive Anna Braidwood.

SADD is active in 70 percent of the country's secondary schools and has been calling for the legal adult drink drive limit to be reduced for more than a decade.

SADD also advocated for the zero limit for under 20s which came into effect in August 2011. Since the law change for young drivers the number of under-20s convicted for drink driving has plummeted by 22 per cent.

"Young people today are really aware of the dangers of drinking and driving and they, along with most people, are going to welcome a lower adult limit," says Anna.

“You only need to look at how young drivers responded to the introduction of the zero-alcohol restriction on driving, with people really taking the message on board and a big reduction in the number of convictions.

"Lowering the adult limit is another great step forward for New Zealand in reducing the harm caused on our roads by intoxicated drivers."

The change in the limit will be a chance for adults to change the conversation in their social groups, as many young drivers have done since zero tolerance was introduced, and create a new and improved culture on what is acceptable before getting behind the wheel.

“We believe any amount of alcohol in the system is harmful when it comes to driving, but we realise a perfect world scenario of zero limits for all drivers is pretty unlikely at this point in time," says Anna.

"At least the new limit will bring us in line with other countries who are performing much better than New Zealand on the drink driving issue, and it will significantly reduce the amount of alcohol people are legally permitted to consume before driving. We are confident this will begin to pay in dividends, saving lives and improving the outcomes for our country and we look forward to its introduction.”

For 28 years SADD students have been educating young people and their wider communities on the dangers of drinking and driving, working to improve attitudes and pushing for positive culture change. It was always going to be vital that legislation caught up to ensure the shift in attitudes and culture resulted in the necessary shift in behaviour.

“Like with the introduction of zero tolerance in 2011, this announcement feels like a victory to the thousands of SADD members who have spent countless hours actively raising awareness on the issue, urging adults and young people alike to make better, healthier choices when it comes to socialising and getting home safely.”

For further information visit www.sadd.co.nz

ENDS

© Scoop Media