'If I am serious about lowering the road toll, I have to do something.' Mark Inglis has added his support to the Two Drinks Max campaign. Photo / Glenn Jeffrey
The Government believes New Zealand drivers aren't ready to moderate their drinking. We know they are. So take responsibility for keeping our roads safe by signing up: Two Drinks Max.
- Sign up at nzherald.co.nz here
- Sign up on Facebook here
- Use #2DrinksMax to show support on Twitter
This country's drink-driving limit is 80mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood - the same as Britain and the United States - but Australia and most of Europe use a limit of 50mg per 100ml, also referred to as a 0.05 limit.
Only Parliament can change the law. But we
can help change attitudes. Our campaign will encourage people to regulate themselves, and to not drive if they've had more than two drinks.
Mountaineer, researcher, winemaker and motivational speaker Mark Inglis explains why he is supporting the Two Drinks Max campaign:
Do you support lowering the drink/drive limit to 50 mg - already in place in many countries and recommended by NZ police, MoT and Alcohol Healthwatch?
Yes. I really think the alcohol limit should be down to 50mg. I have
spent time working in Australia where the limit is 50mg and I think we
should be the same.
I think it's completely wrong that we are sharing the roads with people who are even slightly incapacitated. We need to put our hands up and take a stand.
Will you pledge your name to the Herald on Sunday's Two Drinks Max campaign?
Absolutely. I think it's great. It will be tough because I have been a keen wine drinker for 17 years.
It will be a bit of a challenge because I live in a rural community with no taxi service. I will stop at two whereas before I might have had three or thought "Is it okay if I have three and a half?"
Added to the fact I am a double amputee for me it will be an inconvenience but if I am serious about lowering the road toll, I have to do something.
I drive about 50,000 km a year and I consider myself a reasonable
driver, but the safer we can make our roads, the better for all of us.
Why do you think it's important to get behind the campaign?
I think we need to be doing everything we can to reduce the road toll. I always talk about being proactive and have done a lot of work around
challenge and change.
It is important that we are proactive and this pledge is something we need to try.
Have you, your friends or family been involved in a drink-driving crash or been a victim of one?
No, I don't know anyone who has been a victim or has a conviction.
Mark Inglis, 51, lost his legs to frostbite after being stuck in an icecave on Mount Cook in 1982.
He reached the summit of Mount Cook in 2002 and became the first ever double amputee to reach the summit of Mount Everest in 2006.
He lives in Hanmer Springs with his wife Anne and their three children.
Has drink-driving affected your life?
Tell us your story.
