ClubsACT chief executive Jeff House has urged the government to adopt the ''realistic and commonsense'' approach to prevent drink driving, which would mean parking be made free until midday on Saturday and Sunday.

Mr House believes it would stop drivers from trying to move their cars before paid parking kicks in at 9am the next day, when they are still likely to be over the limit.

"It's sometimes unrealistic and dangerous to expect people who have been drinking the night before to be back in Civic to drive their car home before 9am the next morning,'' Mr House said.

''This can also act as a genuine disincentive to do the right thing and leave your car in the parking lot overnight.''

Several parking areas around Canberra's popular night precincts attract fees on weekends. The ACT government allows drivers to buy a parking ticket for the next day through its overnight credit system.

The overnight credit can usually be bought from long and short stay machines for the standard fee any time outside normal hours.

But Mr House said the overnight credit system was not free and did not suit those who had an unplanned night out.

He pointed to a model used in Calgary, Canada, where the public is offered a grace period on Saturday and Sunday morning, extending their parking free of charge.

"This scheme would also support the messaging from ACT Police, which is to drink or drive,'' Mr House said. ''Drinking and driving is asking for trouble so small measures such as this moratorium would be a very sensible measure.

''It's really just taking a realistic and commonsense approach to a social issue.''

Mr House said no parking areas and loading zones should still attract fines.

He said the scheme would also help attract more people to shops and restaurants on weekends.