Almost 4 p.c. of drivers over alcohol limit

Press, 29 July 1987, Page 2

Almost 4 p.c. of drivers over alcohol limit

PA Auckland More than 47,000 drivers have been stopped at checkpoints since the national drink-driving blitz began just over a week ago. Of the 47,138 drivers who have been stopped, 879 were over the safe alcohol limit, the Ministry of Transport said. The figure worked out at just under four in every 100 drivers being over the limit. In Auckland last weekend, 11,763 drivers were stopped by traffic officers and the police. Ninety-nine of those face drink-driving charges. The deputy chief traffic superintendent, Mr Henry Gore, said that although a few people were stupid enough to drive drunk,

public awareness of the campaign was good. “It’s particularly good when you see the women are driving, and the men who have obviously had a few too many drinks are sitting in the passenger seat,” he said. “Why can’t they always do that?” During the week-end, the Ministry of Transport received several calls from angry people who were tired of waiting in long queues for taxis. Mr Gore said this criticism was ironic and unfair. “It is ironic because we are trying to prevent people from being killed or ending up in hospital because of alcohol-im-paired driving,”; Mr Gore said.

The drink-driving blitz is expected to last another two,weeks.