Police concerned about motorists attitudes to drink driving

Police are concerned about the attitudes of some motorists throughout the Wellington district who think having a few drinks and getting behind the wheel won't hinder their driving abilities.

Wellington Police District Road Policing Manager Inspector Peter Baird says over the past few weeks, there's been a sharp rise in the number of people stopped at compulsory breath test (CBT) checkpoints who have been failing the initial breath screen test.

"When a driver is stopped at a CBT checkpoint, they're required to speak into a breath screening device which detects alcohol on the breath".

Inspector Baird says at a recent Friday night checkpoint in Molesworth Street, Thorndon, out of 1000 cars stopped, 126 failed the initial test. That means just over 11 per cent of those motorists had consumed alcohol prior to driving.

"Basically, drivers are making the choice to drink and drive, gambling with their level of impairment against the risk they may present to other motorists, cyclists and pedestrians."

"One drink takes you down the path of impairment, affecting your inability to drive safely. Other road users have no choice in who they face coming towards them. So, so if you plan on having one drink or more, then sort out your ride home at the start of your night."

He says the attitude of having two or three drinks after work and then driving home should be a concern to any road user, motorist, cyclist or pedestrian, each of whom is probably hoping that the car coming towards them is being driven by a sober driver.

"We want to keep motorists and other road users safe this festive season, keeping our roads clear of crashes, injuries and senseless deaths."