Drink driving deaths double since 2013

Deaths on New Zealand roads involving drunk drivers reached a 10-year peak last year with 33 more fatalities than in 2021.

One hundred and eleven people died in 2022 in incidents where a driver was over the limit according to Waka Kotahi figures obtained through the Official Information Act.

Automobile Association road safety spokesperson Dylan Thomsen says the leap in alcohol related fatalities is hugely concerning.

“It’s more than double the 53 drunk driving deaths recorded in 2013. It seems to show the relationship between alcohol and driving in this country is getting worse.

“Right now New Zealand is losing the battle on drunk driving. The numbers are getting worse rather than better and we have to flip that around.”

Road deaths involving alcohol
Year	Above limit or refused test	Present but below legal limit	Total
2013	53	29	82
2014	48	41	89
2015	65	53	118
2016	67	70	137
2017	76	75	151
2018	81	46	127
2019	86	52	138
2020	77	39	116
2021	78	33	111
2022	111	52	163

Between 2018 and 2022 the three worst affected regions have been Waikato (132 deaths where a person was above the limit, and where alcohol was present but below the legal limit) Auckland (89) and Northland (79).

2022’s tragically high numbers follow years of missed breath screening targets.

“The target is for Police to test 3,000,000 drivers a year for alcohol and that level hasn't been reached since 2014. Testing numbers for the current year are trending up and will be over 2,000,000 for the first time in years but there is still more that needs to be done.

“We simply aren’t doing enough alcohol checkpoints. They are a critical tool in preventing deaths and serious injuries on our roads. For checkpoints to act as an effective deterrent drivers need to regularly be seeing them - as well as being a deterrent they are a crucial final line of defence to stop impaired drivers harming themselves and others.”

Increased breath testing is not a singular solution to curbing road deaths, however it is an important road safety measure in conjunction with more use of alcohol interlocks, specialist alcohol and other drug courts and rehabilitation treatment for drunk drivers that are caught.

“Under its Road to Zero strategy, the Government has set a goal of reducing the road toll by 40% by 2030. We all know that the Police are facing a monumental challenge trying to deliver the enforcement people want but the Government has to find a solution to get alcohol checkpoint numbers back up and start turning the tide on drunk driving,” Dylan says.

Ends.

For more information contact:

Dylan Thomsen
Road safety spokesman
New Zealand Automobile Association
Mob. 027 703 9935