The HoS reports:

    The number of repeat drink-drivers caught on New Zealand roads is showing a worrying upward spiral, and is a problem police are struggling to counter.

    The number of recidivist drink-drivers has risen steadily over the past three years, and more than 4000 have been prosecuted already this year.

    Many of them are involved in fatal crashes.

    Figures released to the Herald on Sunday under the Official Information Act reveal 7200 people were convicted of their third or more drink-driving offence in 2009 compared with 6995 in 2008 and 6639 in 2007.

These are the ones who are the real hazards. They do not drive at 0.05 to 0.08 BAC. They drive at two to three times the legal limit. And if they have been convicted three or more times, it probably indicates they have driven drunk 100+ times. And they are also the ones who tend to flee from the Police, and kill people as they do.

The Government has proposed a zero BAC limit for recidivist drink drivers, and off memory are looking at alcohol locks on their cars. I think the alcohol locks are what may make the biggest difference. It won’t stop all of them, but it will stop some of them.