Drunk drivers sparking appeal

A spike in the number of people caught drink-driving on Southland roads during the 2018-19 festive season has prompted a call for family members of offenders to stop them from getting behind the wheel and killing someone.

Police figures show there were 45 drink-driving infringements and charges recorded in Southland when an offence was detected between December 20 and January 5 this year, equalling nearly three per day.

This number is a significant increase on the previous two years during the corresponding 17-day timeframe, with 26 caught in 2017-18 and 32 caught in 2016-17.

Caroline Perry, director of road safety charity Brake, said drink-driving could have devastating consequences so it was hugely disappointing people still chose to put lives at risk by doing it. Perry urged family and friends to speak out to loved ones. ‘‘Stop them from drink-driving, to protect their lives and the lives of other innocent road users.’’

Drink-drivers showed a blatant disregard for both the law and the lives of others, she said.

People still thought it was okay to have a few beers and get behind the wheel, but research showed even small amounts of alcohol slowed the reactions of drivers and affected their ability to perceive hazards. ‘‘The only safe amount of alcohol to have before you get behind the wheel is none.’’

Eliminating drink-driving would take a raft of measures including education campaigns, enforcement, penalties and alcohol-interlock devices, which prevent vehicles from being started if a driver has been drinking.

Southland road policing manager Jon Bisset said it was disappointing people were still driving while under the influence but pleasing they were being apprehended.

A reason for the increase in apprehensions was down to police putting more staff in the right places at the right times to try and keep the public safe, he said. Police ran a lot of checkpoints and tried to be unpredictable and highly visible to deter people from drinkdriving, he said.