Story by Mike Bain/The Daily Examiner.
Positive news as Road Safety Week kicks off, communities across New Zealand are celebrating the Government’s intensified efforts to curb drunk driving, with newly released 2024 statistics showing a nearly 40% reduction in alcohol-related road deaths.
The initiative, led by Transport Minister Chris Bishop and Police Minister Mark Mitchell, is being hailed as a major success in making roads safer.
“Our Government is focused on improving road safety through enforcement, investment in infrastructure, and targeting the leading contributors to fatal crashes such as drugs and alcohol impairment,” said Bishop. “The Road Policing Investment Programme (RPIP) is delivering strong results, and we need to keep it up.”
The impact of these measures is being felt across the country.
In South Canterbury, Road Safety Coordinator Michelle Bunt has launched a powerful awareness campaign, displaying 46 pairs of shoes outside the Timaru District Council headquarters to represent lives lost on local roads since 2020.
The initiative has sparked conversations about the importance of responsible driving and the role of enforcement in saving lives.
Meanwhile, equestrian communities are also joining the movement.
In Waimakariri, 43 riders and horses gathered for a special photo shoot to honor lives lost in road accidents involving equestrians. The event highlighted the need for continued education and enforcement to protect vulnerable road users.
Police have significantly ramped up their efforts, conducting 4.1 million roadside breath alcohol tests in 2024—the highest number ever recorded and 900,000 more than in 2023.
Officers have also exceeded their target for testing during high-risk hours, ensuring that enforcement is focused where it matters most.
“The whole point of roadside breath testing is to keep New Zealanders safer on the roads—and it’s working,” said Mitchell. “It’s encouraging to see an almost 40% reduction in alcohol-related road deaths, from 92 in 2023 to 57 in 2024.”
The success of these measures is particularly significant given the challenges posed by population growth, an expanding vehicle fleet, and increasing road usage.
Despite these factors, the 2024 road toll was the lowest since 2014, a testament to the effectiveness of targeted enforcement.
With roadside drug testing set to roll out later this year, the Government is doubling down on its commitment to road safety. “Anyone who drives under the influence of drugs is putting themselves and others at risk—and we’re not going to put up with it,” Mitchell emphasized.
As communities across New Zealand embrace Road Safety Week, the message is clear: every breath test delivered has the potential to save a life. From grassroots awareness campaigns to government-led enforcement, the collective effort is making a tangible difference in keeping roads safer for everyone.
