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Archived Press Releases 2009 14th September 2009

New Zealand keeps on recycling recidivist drunk drivers- CrossRoads meet next weekend to talk solutions.

(14th September2009)

There is currently a national debate on the wider harm alcohol can cause and on improved road safety measures. This is great to see. But CrossRoads is focusing on a group which make up 23 per cent of drunk and drugged drivers. They are the most deadly, hard-core offenders who continually get grossly intoxicated and use their vehicles as one-tonne murder weapons.

“We want to get the worst of the worst drivers off the roads. They are recidivists drunks and druggies, they don’t care about rules, laws and the safety of other road users.”

“These people show a depraved indifference to innocent people’s right to use our public roads. They are the terrorists of our roads, and New Zealanders should not have to tolerate the horrific grief and carnage they cause.”

The good thing is, change is in the air. The public have had enough of these people, and the politicians in Wellington are now listening.

The CrossRoad’s families are gathering in Taupo next weekend (Friday 18th to Sunday 20th September).

Media are invited.

CrossRoads is a division of the Sensible Sentencing Trust

The members of CrossRoads have had family members killed by repeat drunk and drugged drivers.

Some facts:

• 23 per cent of drunk drivers in New Zealand are re-offenders,
• In 2008 drugs and alcohol contributed to 31 per cent of fatal crashes and 21 per cent of serious injury crashes,
• The estimated social cost of crashes involving alcohol and drugs was $833 million in 2008.

Megan McPherson
029-3323-284
Dunedin