Simon Bridges National MP simonbridges.co.nz

Of my day-to-day responsibilities in Government, being Associate Minister of Transport keeps me busiest.

In the past week that has been particularly true as I've announced the imminent commencement of alcohol interlocks for vehicles, been involved in Rail Safety Week and presented the first commercial jet boat licences ever in New Zealand.

An alcohol interlock is a device similar to a breathalyser that is connected to a vehicle's starting system. Before the vehicle can be started, the driver must provide a breath sample. If the analysed result is higher than the pre-programmed breath-alcohol level, the vehicle will not start. Interlocks in New Zealand are starting from 10 September and will be effectively set for a zero limit.

Judges will, from that date, be able to require serious or repeat drink-drivers to have alcohol interlock devices fitted to their vehicles. Following a mandatory three month disqualification (during which no driving is allowed), offenders given an interlock disqualification will be able to apply for an alcohol interlock licence, which will restrict them to driving a vehicle with an interlock device fitted. Offenders will bear the cost of fitting and monitoring the interlocks.

In addition, from 10 September a ‘zero alcohol' licence sanction will also be available, which will require drivers to maintain a zero alcohol limit for a fixed period of three years.

The zero alcohol licences will be issued to drivers given a ‘zero alcohol' disqualification by the courts, as well as to those who have served an alcohol interlock disqualification and have been approved to exit the interlock programme.

These measures are part of a concerted effort to tackle the serious harm caused by drink-driving, which includes a zero blood alcohol limit for all drivers under the age of 20 and a doubled maximum penalty for drink or drugged driving causing death.

The reckless actions of those who drink too much and get behind the wheel remain a cause of many road deaths and injuries. The alcohol interlocks disqualification will help stop them from re-offending and make the roads safer for everyone.

Further information on alcohol interlocks is available at: http://www.nzta.govt.nz/resources/factsheets/58/alcohol-interlocks.html

When I launched Rail Safety Week on Monday I made it clear that this year's focus is on raising pedestrian awareness about the dangers around rail tracks and crossings. Indeed, trespassing on rail tracks is the biggest cause of railway related deaths in our country. In the last decade 97 pedestrians have died while trespassing instead of using the proper walkways and crossings.

Frankly, if you are not on a proper walkway, crossing or at a station, what you are doing at rail tracks is almost certainly illegal and, more importantly, very dangerous. The experts tell me trains are quieter and faster than most of us realise. In addition, while they are efficient and safe, they cannot stop readily. As the slogan for the week says, 'use your brain, tracks are for trains”.

My final transport task for the week was to hand over some commercial jet boat licences to operators in Queenstown under a scheme I announced last month. The licences and ongoing competency checks are designed to improve compliance and safety, as well as safeguard the reputation of one of New Zealand's most iconic outdoor adventure activities.

While the inherent risks of jet boating provide the ‘thrill' factor that attracts passengers from all over the world, the introduction of the jet boat driver licence and competency checks gives passengers and the wider public added assurance that these risks are being managed appropriately.