• What you can do
• Penalties

Drink driving killed 135 people on New Zealand roads in 2004.

Alcohol is the most socially accepted, commonly used drug in New Zealand. It also contributed to 31 percent of the fatal road crashes on our roads in 2004.

Once alcohol is absorbed into your bloodstream, it is taken up by cells in your vital organs, including the brain - slowing your reactions, dulling your judgement and vision and impairing your ability to drive.

When you've been drinking, the chances of crashing are high. In fact, when you drive with a blood alcohol level at the legal limit (80 mg per 100ml), you are three times more likely to be involved in a crash than if you hadn't had a drink.

Anyone who takes this risk is a potential killer.

If you drink and drive you will be caught. In 2004 the Police carried out more than 2.3 million breath tests.

Find out more about drinking and driving statistics (visit the Ministry of Transport web site) and about the NZ Police and Land Transport NZ enforcement and advertising campaign to stop drink-driving.

What you can do

Be aware:

• Everyone's perception of how much they can drink is different. But the law is precise: if you're an adult the legal blood alcohol limit for driving is no more than 80 milligrams of alcohol for every 100mls of blood.
• If you are under 20 you shouldn't drink any alcohol before you drive. Your limit is 30 milligrams for every 100mls.
• For drinking guidelines visit the Alcohol Advisory Council's website.

Be prepared:

• If you're planning on drinking, plan not to drive.

Use your influence:

• Don't go along with other people's bad decisions.

The cost of a crash is not just measured in death or injury; feelings of grief, regret, and ostracism are common. There are also long-term costs which can be crippling.

Legal charges range from manslaughter to failure of evidential blood or breath alcohol tests. The penalties result in imprisonment, loss of licence and/or disqualification and fines.

Last updated: 23 November 2005