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Road Policing in New Zealand
NEW LEGISLATION: Drugged Driving Road User Rule
New drugged driving legislation from 1 November 2009
From 1st November 09 Police may carry out compulsory impairment tests on drivers they suspect of driving under the influence of drugs.
The new legislation:
- creates an offence of driving while impaired and with evidence in the bloodstream of a controlled drug (i.e. a drug that is classified under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1975) or a prescription medicine;
- empowers Police to determine whether or not a driver is impaired by means of a “compulsory impairment test” (CIT test). If the test shows that the driver is impaired, it will be followed by a blood test to determine whether controlled drugs or prescription medicines are present;
- imposes penalties which are aligned to the penalties for drink driving .
The enforcement process
A trained officer will be able to require a driver to undergo a CIT test when there is good cause to suspect consumption of a drug or prescription medicine. A driver who is not able to satisfactorily complete the impairment test will be required to provide a blood sample.
It will be an offence when the driver is unable to complete the CIT test in a satisfactory manner; and the driver's blood contains evidence of a controlled drug or prescription medicine.
The CIT Test
The compulsory test will involve:
- an eye assessment – pupil size, reaction to light, lack of convergence, nystagmus (eye movement - Irregular eye movement is a marker for impairment.)
- a walk and turn assessment;
- a one leg stand assessment.
Prescription medicine
The new impairment offence treats controlled drugs and prescription medicines the same because both can impair a person’s ability to drive safely. The new offence is concerned with road safety risk, not with the use of illegal drugs.
For more information visit www.transport.govt.nz
Download the information leaflet: Important Information about Drugs and Driving [PDF 190KB]
Land Transport (Road User) Amendment Rule 2009
Whether you drive, ride, cycle or walk in New Zealand, changes to the 'Road User Rule' will affect you from 1 November 2009.
The Land Transport (Road User) Amendment Rule 2009 (NZ Transport Agency website), signed by Transport Minister, Steven Joyce, in August, outlines 24, either new or updated, provisions to further improve safety and efficiency for road users.
The most high-profile change is the impending ban of the use of hand-held mobile phones while driving. For more information see the NZ Transport Agency website.
Download the information leaflet: New Road Rules [PDF 149KB]
Road Safety Programme
The Government's Road Safety to 2010 strategy underpins the New Zealand Transport Strategy (NZTS) in the area of road safety, and its goal is to reduce the number of road deaths per year to fewer than 300, hospitalisations for longer than one day to fewer than 2,200 and hospitalisations for longer than three days to fewer than 1,400 by 2010. Expert analysis of benefits, costs and funding shows that a mix of new and enhanced interventions should achieve the overall level of safety set for 2010. The strategy's goals and targets originated from this analysis, and are achievable with the appropriate mix of engineering, enforcement and education initiatives.You can download the Road Policing Programme 2009/2010 Nov 2009 [PDF 1.40MB]
 There were 443 deaths on our roads during the last 12 months to January 2008.Our goal is to reduce road deaths to 300 annually by the year 2010. Read our Facing the facts [PDF] brochure for more details.New Zealand’s road toll has been dropping for more than a decade, despite an increase in the number of licensed drivers, more vehicles on the road, and more powerful vehicles becoming available.Detailed road statistics and research is available from the Ministry of Transport.
Speed
Excessive speed is the biggest killer on New Zealand roads - particularly rural roads. Police have identified areas called black spots that have a high incidence of car crashes. These areas are the focus of Police enforcement efforts.Police use the following tactics to reduce speed:
- Radar, laser and speed cameras used to help enforce speed limits
- District crash black spots identified for enforcement
- Speed control focuses on long straights with close attention to areas close to curves
- High visibility highway patrols
- Targetting heavy motor vehicles
Alcohol
 Alcohol is a major contributor to death on our roads. Police enforce this area of traffic law which is designed to keep drinking drivers off our roads.Compulsory breath testing operations are a very effective tactic in deterring drink drivers.Tactics to combat drink driving are:
- High visibility compulsory breath testing
- Passive alcohol testing devices
- Vigorous enforcement of alcohol laws
- Visits to hotels/clubs identified in "Last drink survey" as being a problem
Safety belts
Around 50 people are killed in car crashes each year who would probably have survived if they had been wearing a seat belt.With the exception of those persons exempt from wearing a safety belt, all occupants of vehicles with seat belts fitted, are to wear them whilst the vehicle is in motion.Children should be seated in an approved child restraint.Tactics to enforce seat belt usage are:
- Vehicles will be stopped and checked to ensure appropriate restraints are used by adults and children
- If restraints are not used correctly then Police will take appropriate action
- Police will work with the Plunket Association to increase the use of child restraints
Community Roadwatch
The Community Roadwatch Report initiative allows you to submit compliants about bad drivers. Police follow up complaints with the owner of the offending vehicle.
Highway Risk Maps
These risk maps show high-risk crash sectors on New Zealand's roads. They were designed by New Zealand Police and it's road safety partners.
Useful resources
The Land Transport Amendment Act 2005 came into effect on 16 January 2006. Information on the changes is available at from the Land Transport Website.
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