27 Dec 2017

New Caledonia's govt to tighten drink drive laws

4:55 pm on 27 December 2017

The government of New Caledonia has decided to tighten drink drive laws as part of efforts to improve road safety.

Drivers who haven't had a licence for two years yet will only be allowed to have one beer before driving.

The measure comes amid a high accident rate and after yet another fatal car crash in which three young men died.

Per capita, New Caledonia has a road toll four times higher than France.

Most accidents involve alcohol and passengers not wearing seatbelts.

Figures also show that about a third of accidents involve drivers without a licence.

To improve the situation, the government plans to subsidise the cost of getting a licence for young people doing an apprenticeship.