The road toll from alcohol-related crashes is falling

Heading into Road Safety Week, the Government has said that its strategy on targeting drunk drivers is delivering results. The number of alcohol-related road deaths fell by nearly 40 per cent in 2024, according to government officials.

“The Road Policing Investment Programme (RPIP) is seeing some strong results, and we need to keep it up,” says Minister of Transport, Chris Bishop.

“Police have really stepped up their road policing efforts in the past year. In 2024, they delivered 4,118,159 passive breath and breath screening tests. That’s the highest number recorded in a calendar year, and smashing their RPIP target of 3.3 million per year.

“Police have also exceeded their target to focus 65 per cent of their breath testing on the highest risk times. In the first nine months of this financial year… the Police delivered 2,177,179 passive breath and breath screening tests during high or extreme risk alcohol hours. This is 35 per cent above the year-to-date target of 1,608,750 tests. And it is a 21 per cent increase compared to the first nine months of the previous financial year.

“The whole point of roadside breath testing is to keep New Zealanders safer on the roads – and it’s working.

Bishop continued: “It’s really encouraging to see an almost 40 per cent reduction in the number of road deaths where alcohol was a contributing factor.” They are down from 92 alcohol-related road deaths in 2023 to 57 in 2024.

“In fact, the steep reduction in alcohol-related road deaths led to the 2024 total road toll being the lowest since 2014. Every avoidable road death is a tragedy and there’s always more work to do. This is a big step in the right direction.”

“Roadside testing for drug driving is also coming soon. Anyone who drives while under the influence of drugs should know that they’re putting themselves and other road users at risk – and we’re not going to put up with it.

“In March 2025 the Government passed legislation to enable Police to conduct roadside testing for drug impairment. We expect these tests to start being rolled out later this year.”

Police Minister Mark Mitchell chipped in: “Alcohol and drugs are leading contributors to death and serious injury on our roads. Both random and selective breath testing are proven to discourage people from drinking and driving. Every breath test delivered has the potential to save a life. You can continue to expect the Police to be highly visible on our roads.”