What is the Legal Drinking Limit NZ
15 November, 2021
Alcohol consumption is one of the most common recreational past times in New Zealand. People nowadays love to socialize over a drink on special occasions, events, or barbecues. Alcohol is widely accessible in grocery stores or online stores. The general legal drinking limit for purchasing and drinking alcohol is 18 years old and older.
The Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012 cover the scope and limitations of a person allowed to drink and purchase alcohol. The legal age for a person that can buy or enter a drinking establishment is 18 years old. Additionally, the person has to present an identification card as proof of age. If you are under 18 years old, you may not purchase alcohol. However, the legal drinking limit in NZ allows a minor to drink if accompanied by a parent or legal guardian in supervised areas like restaurants. Undoubtedly, these rules, accompanied by the drinking and driving laws for young or probationary drivers, help keep the country and its people safe. BACtrack personal breathalyzers help these types of drivers keep track of their current BAC.
Legal Drinking Limit NZ: Rules and Regulations
While the legal drinking limit for alcohol may be independent, it is also directly connected with driving laws. A lot of road accidents happen now because of intoxicated driving. In New Zealand, there is a legal alcohol limit for drivers to minimize the risks of accidents. Nineteen years old and below are not allowed to drive if they have any alcoholic drink; this means that their blood alcohol content (BAC) should always be 0.00% when behind the wheel. Persons twenty years old and above are allowed a BAC or breath alcohol content of up to 250 mg/litre of breath or 50 mg/100ml of blood (0.05% BAC). Exceeding the said limits have corresponding penalties. The higher the BAC readings, the heavier the penalties and charges. You can now monitor your BAC more closely with BACtrack personal breathalyzers.
Possible DUI Charges:
- Hefty Fines ( amount depends on BAC level)
- License suspension (3 – 12 months)
- Ignition interlocks (6 – 12 months)
- Impounding vehicles
- Possible Jain time (High range offences)
To avoid trouble with the law and improve your safety, always know your capacity and check if you are over the legal drinking limit to drive. Drink responsibly and moderately. Have a personal breathalyzer ready at all times, especially when you plan on driving after consuming alcohol. Moreover, if you are underaged, it is best to avoid drinking in public places or attempting to enter restricted premises. BACtrack offers a range of personal accurate professional-grade breathalyzers to help you keep track of your BAC.
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