AA spokesperson Simon Lambourne says the AA asked for this in its submission to the Alcohol in Our Lives consultation document and the Law Commission has produced a very thorough and thoughtful report.

The Law Commission's report proposes a wide range of actions to try to reduce excessive alcohol consumption and the harm it causes. The AA has focussed on recommendations aimed at reducing drink driving. The roadside is currently the only sanctioned point for testing alcohol levels and drug use among the general public.

Two thirds of drink drive deaths are caused by drivers who are driving at more than double the limit, says Mr Lambourne.

"These people are self-identifying as having a serious problem with alcohol by driving at these excessively drunk levels and current penalties are clearly not working. At the moment, there are far too many cases where people have been caught drink driving and then been able to go out and do it again. The public and AA Members are sick of these recidivist drunks on our roads.

"Judges need support to do their jobs properly - there needs to be much more funding for community based programmes where they can refer repeat drink drivers for treatment and support," says Mr Lambourne.

"Ideally we think people with alcohol problems should be dealt with in specific drug and alcohol courts, so they are met by the same judge whenever they appear," says Mr Lambourne. "This has been a successful model overseas."

The AA believes that all Government revenue from alcohol taxes and fines should be dedicated to alcohol treatment and alcohol-related harm prevention.

The AA is also pleased the Commission has recommended a zero drink drive limit for people under 20. Alcohol affects young people physiologically more than mature adults and drink driving is a leading cause of teen road crashes. However, the AA believes there must be an allowance for issues such as mouthwash or equipment accuracy and that people who are below the current youth limit should get fines or demerits rather than a conviction, which can have life-long negative consequences.

The AA is also pleased the Commission recommends greater host responsibility for on-licence premises and where there is a risk of drink driving, bars should be required to assist with safe transport options for patrons.

Mr Lambourne says AA members are unanimous in their wish to get drunk drivers off our roads and law changes based on the Commission's recommendations would help with this.

The AA has recently endorsed a UN resolution for a Decade of Action for Road Safety and is committed to contributing more to road safety initiatives in New Zealand.

For more information contact

Simon Lambourne
Public Affairs Manager
New Zealand Automobile Association
T. +64 9 966 8608
M.+64 21 659 029
E. slambourne@aa.co.nz

The New Zealand Automobile Association is an incorporated society with over one million members. It represents the interests of road users who collectively pay over $2 billion in taxes each year through fuels excise, road user charges and GST.