The Green PartyTuesday 27 July 2010, 5:28PM
Media release from the Green Party
The Green Party today called on John Key to allow his National
MPs a conscience vote on whether the blood alcohol content (BAC) of
drivers should be lowered.
Yesterday the Government ruled out changes to road safety
legislation which would lower the BAC to the international best
practice of 50 mg per 100 millilitres of blood.
"In the two years it takes for the Government to complete its
review, up to 60 New Zealanders could die on our roads. They could
be saved if Mr Key has the guts give to give Parliament the chance
to lower the BAC," Green Party Co-leader Russel Norman said.
"Today in the House I challenged John Key to put the decision to
National Party MPs as a conscience vote. I believe National Party
MPs will want to save New Zealanders lives by lowering the level of
the BAC.
"The Green Party will move an amendment to the Government's road
safety legislation to lower the BAC to 0.05."
Dr Norman said a conscience vote would allow National MPs to
express their true beliefs on the issue.
"Transport Minister Steven Joyce says we need more information, but
the Ministry of Transport delivered him documents outlining over
300 studies on drink driving and recommending a lowering to 0.05,"
Dr Norman said.
LINKS
OIA Papers from NZ Drug Foundation
http://www.drugfoundation.org.nz/drink-drive-OIA
5+ Solution
http://www.alcoholaction.co.nz/FivePlusSolution.aspx