The AA is urging drivers to not take any risks around drinking alcohol then driving, as the lower adult drink driving limit comes into force today.

“The old limit allowed people who were badly impaired to still be legal to get behind the wheel, so the AA supports the limit coming down,” says AA spokesperson Dylan Thomsen.

“Drivers will need to be very mindful of the lower limit if they are drinking any alcohol.

“The safest thing to do is not to drink alcohol at all if you are going to be driving. But if you are going to have a drink, only have one or two to make sure you stay under the limit.”

Some things that the AA advises drivers to be particularly aware of are:

• Smaller people, particularly women, will need to be extra careful as their alcohol level will rise more quickly than larger people’s
• Be careful of drink sizes. A ‘standard’ glass of wine is 100ml but many establishments serve larger glasses than this. Similarly a ‘standard’ beer is 330ml at 4% alcohol. So while you might think you have only two drinks, it could equate to 3 or more ‘standard’ drinks.
• If you have had a night of heavy drinking, don’t drive the next morning. You may still be over the limit even if you don’t feel impaired.

Another important thing for people to do is plan how they are going to get home before they start drinking. That might be having a designated sober driver, getting a taxi, or staying somewhere overnight.

“Once people have had a few drinks they can make decisions that they never would have sober. Having a safe way of getting home planned means you are less likely to end up behind the wheel after drinking,” says Mr Thomsen.

A survey of AA Members found 72% believed the drink driving limit should only allow people to have two drinks or less before driving.

“About 100 people are killed and 2000 injured each year from crashes involving alcohol.

“The lower limit is a reminder to everyone to make sensible choices around alcohol and keep themselves and others safe.”

For more information contact:

Dylan Thomsen
Senior Communications Adviser
New Zealand Automobile Association
T. 04 931 9991
M. 027 703 9935
E. dthomsen@aa.co.nz