Next steps enforcement measures

The Minister of Transport has announced new enforcement measures to help meet the Road Safety to 2010 goals of no more than 300 road deaths and 4,500 hospitalisations a year by 2010.

Unless further action is taken across the three Es - education, engineering and enforcement - we could face a road toll of 400 by 2010.

The additional enforcement measures will zero in on serious and repeat drink drivers and excessive speed.

The measures targeted at serious offenders include:

• speeding drivers will face immediate roadside licence suspension for exceeding the permanent posted speed limit by 40km/hour. Currently roadside licence suspension applies to those caught exceeding the speed limit by 50km/hour.
• drink drivers with blood alcohol levels of 130mg/100ml or higher will immediately lose their licence for 28 days. This penalty currently kicks in at 160mg/100ml.
• a “three-strikes and you're out” scheme for drink drivers, including licence suspension for committing two offences within a four year period and roadside vehicle impoundment for drink drivers committing three offences within a four year period.
• further work on alcohol ignition interlocks that immobilise the vehicles of repeat drink drivers if they have been drinking.

Other measures are:

• To deter speeding, speed cameras will be used more widely across the country - with the introduction of 'anywhere anytime' speed cameras - where all speed camera zones and signs are removed and cameras are targeted at any area where speed puts lives at particular risk.
• To reduce the risk from people driving under the influence of illegal drugs - further work on establishing a specific offence to drive while impaired by illegal drugs. Currently, a driver has to be unable to control a vehicle before they commit an offence.

For more information click here.

Page created: 17 December 2003