Opinion is split as to whether the proposed lowering of the drink-drive limit would result in a decrease in motor vehicle crashes, but a local GP is heralding the move as long overdue.
Mount Maunganui GP Tony Farrell said the change would bring the legal and medical definitions of drunkenness together.
"The changes would mean that the legal limit would be equivalent to the medical definition of drunk, 0.05 is a medical reference," Dr Farrell said.
"At that concentration many people exhibit signs of drunkenness. There is a reference in 1984 from a couple of authors (that) said the definition of drunkenness is 0.05. It's fascinating, isn't it, that we are already allowed to drive drunk in this country."
The Land Transport (Safer Limits for Driving) Amendment Bill policy, sponsored by Labour MP Iain Lees-Galloway, says there is research already available which shows enough driver impairment between the proposed 0.05 limit and the 0.08 limit to warrant action.