Government Reveals Targeted Actions to Improve Road Safety

The Government has released the ways and means it plans to improve road safety. It will focus on increased road policing and enforcement, targeting high risk behaviours, and delivering new and safe roading infrastructure.

To those ends, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says to expect increased alcohol breath testing and roadside drug testing. He suggests there will be stiffer fines for traffic offences, improvements to the driver licensing system and new and safer roads.

“Motorists and freight should be able to travel around our road network quickly and safely. Improving road safety is a priority for our Government to keep Kiwis safe and increase productivity to improve outcomes for all New Zealanders,” Mr Brown says.

The road safety objectives outline actions the government will take over the next three years. It will target the highest contributors to deaths and serious injuries.

“Alcohol and drugs are the highest contributing factor to fatal crashes on our roads, and that’s why we have set clear targets…” for Police.

“Over 850,000 more alcohol breath tests were undertaken on our roads in 2023/24 compared to the previous year, saving 37 lives across the country. We know that alcohol breath testing and drug testing are incredibly effective at saving lives.

“We all have a part to play in improving road safety. While we are prioritising road policing and enforcement to improve road safety, road users also need to take personal responsibility for their actions on the road. That’s why this plan includes reviewing penalties for traffic offences to ensure they reflect the seriousness of putting other drivers at risk, and identifying opportunities to improve the driver licence system.”

Building new highways and increasing road maintenance through a proactive approach will achieve a safer road network.

“The RoNS built by the previous National Government are some of New Zealand’s safest roads. We are continuing this track record with investment in 17 safe RoNS across the country to enable Kiwis to get where they want to go, quickly and safely.”