Road Safety Package
Speeding drivers and those who repeatedly drive drunk are targeted in a new package of measures as part of efforts to reduce the road toll. The drink driving measures will require legislation that will be introduced this year, to take effect by 2005. Details of the package include:
Speed
- speeding drivers will face immediate 28-day suspension of their licence for exceeding the permanent posted speed limit by 40km/h. This means licence suspension for travelling 140km/h in a 100km/h zone, or 90km/h in a 50km/h zone (the current regime has a 50km/h threshold before licence suspension);
- police will be able to use speed cameras more widely across the country with the introduction of "Anywhere, Anytime" cameras, and the removal of speed camera signs and zones. The cameras will be fixed, as they are now, or in cars or vans, and targeted to high risk areas; but
- this does not include camouflaged or hidden speed cameras, which have been rejected by the government.
Drink Driving
- current court-imposed penalties for the first offence of a driver detected at more than 80mg/100ml, or the breath equivalent, will remain (that is, a maximum three months imprisonment or $4,500 fine, and mandatory disqualification from driving for at least six months);
- a new penalty of immediate 28-day licence suspension for a driver with a blood alcohol level exceeding 80mg/100ml or breath equivalent, where that person has a previous drink drive conviction in the past four years;
- a new penalty of immediate 28-day impoundment of the vehicle of a driver with a blood alcohol level exceeding 80mg/100ml or breath equivalent, where that person has two previous drink drive convictions in the past four years; and
- any driver with a blood alcohol level of 130 mg/100ml will immediately lose their licence for 28 days (the current trigger point is 160mg/100ml).
Illicit Drugs
The government has agreed in principle to introduce a new offence, for being impaired by illicit drugs while in control of a vehicle. The driver would be required to undergo a physical assessment of impairment, to identify the level of illicit drug impairment that is likely to be comparable with existing blood alcohol levels. This is tougher than the current regime, where it is an offence to drive under the influence of illicit drugs to the extent of being "incapable of proper control." Police and transport officials are to undertake further work on technical issues such as testing regimes, and report back to the government by May this year on how to put in place the changes.
Also released with the package were the results of a new LTSA survey of public attitudes to road safety enforcement measures. It can be found at: www.ltsa.govt.nz/research/safety-interventions/index.html |
Contact for Enquiries
The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry
Pastoral House
25 The Terrace
PO Box 2526, Wellington
Tel: 0800 00 83 33
Fax: +64 4 894 0720
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