DRINK DRIVING

Over the last few days considerable debate has swirled around the issue of drink driving. What should the blood alcohol level be, remain as .08 or be reduced to .05? Should there be no drinking and driving for those under 20? Should punishments be increased for drink driving offences to ensure offenders feel the consequences of their offence? Will lowering the blood alcohol level have any effect on those that currently offend or are we just effecting the law abiding citizens? These are all very debateable questions. But I am certain that all New Zealanders would agree that 36,000 convictions for drink driving offences in the last 12 months is unacceptably high and poses a real threat to community safety. In over one third of fatal accidents on the road, alcohol is involved.

I recently received an email from a visitor to the Crimestoppers site very concerned about the consistent drink driving of a good friend and what to do about it. I commended the person for their concern but clearly one needs to do something about the situation before they injure or kill themselves and/or injure and kill someone else. Ignoring the situation should never be an option. That's head in the sand stuff. It may be tough but if your advice has been ignored, providing revelant details to the police, name of person, rego number of car, where they live, where they socialise etc or if you wish to remain anonymous, contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 with the same information. This is likely to see the person picked up for drink driving and receive the shock required to change their ways and/or get the medical help they clearly require. How would you feel if you did nothing and the person was killed or killed someone else. These are tough calls but often doing the right thing requires courage.