The second biggest contributing factor to road crashes in New Zealand, alcohol seriously affects your driving by slowing your reaction times and affecting your senses and judgement. 

Being a responsible driver means never driving when you're over the permitted blood alcohol level as it may impair your judgement.

The impact of alcohol on driving

You risk causing death and serious injury to yourself and other people if you drive under the influence of alcohol.

Once absorbed into your bloodstream, alcohol enters your vital organs, including your brain. The result is slowed reactions along with dulled judgement and vision, all of which impair your ability to drive. Alcohol can also increase the risk of fatigue.

Two hundred and fifty micrograms per litre of breath or 50 milligrams per 100 millilitres of blood is the current legal limit for drivers 20 years or older. At this limit, you're still twice as likely to have a crash as a driver that has a zero-blood alcohol level.

Some of the extensive costs of drink-driving related crashes are:

• death and injury
• emotional harm
• long-term financial costs
• legal charges (ranging from manslaughter to 'over the limit')
• penalties (including imprisonment, loss of licence and/or disqualification and fines)
• loss of insurance cover.

Drive sober

• Everyone's perception of how much they can drink is different, but the law is precise: if you're over 20 years of age the legal blood alcohol limit for driving is no more than 50 milligrams of alcohol for every 100mls of blood.

• There is a zero alcohol limit if you are under 20. That means if you drive after consuming even one drink, you can be charged with drink-driving.

• Be prepared: if you're planning on drinking, plan not to drive.

• Don't go along with other people's bad decisions to drive while they're impaired by alcohol or drugs.

Think twice before you drive in Wairarapa

As the warmth of spring envelops Wairarapa, it brings with it a season of gatherings, events, and festivities. This time of year encourages us to enjoy the outdoors and celebrate with friends and family. However, it’s crucial to remember that with the increase in social activities, the temptation to drink and drive can also rise.

In response to this seasonal trend, NZ Police, Waka Kotahi, and the Wairarapa Road Safety Council are launching a campaign throughout October and November to address the persistent issue of drink driving. This initiative aims to change behaviours and remind everyone of the serious consequences that can arise from making the wrong choice.

Holly Hullena, Projects Coordinator at Wairarapa Road Safety Council, highlights the broader implications of drink driving. "As the days get longer and warmer, we naturally want to celebrate more, but we must do so responsibly. Losing your license due to drink driving doesn’t just impact you; it can disrupt your job, your social life, and your family responsibilities. The community feels the ripple effects."

Hullena further stresses the importance of community involvement in shifting perceptions. "We need to see a cultural shift where drink driving is viewed with the same seriousness as drunk driving. With so many options available for a safe ride home, there’s no excuse. Let’s make this spring a time of positive change."

The campaign will include educational outreach and advertising, complemented by increased Police presence with vehicle checks and enforcement actions. The goal is to reinforce the message that drink driving endangers not just the driver, but everyone on the road.

"Spring is a time of renewal and change," Hullena adds. "Let’s use this season to renew our commitment to road safety and make responsible choices. We all have a role to play in keeping our roads safe."

For more information on how to protect yourself and others, visit nzta.govt.nz/drinking-dont-drive. Remember, there's more at stake than just your license.

Drinking? Don't Drive. It’s Time to Get Our Heads Around It.

We’re continuing to get behind the wheel after drinking, with alcohol being a major factor contributing to deaths and serious injury crashes in the Wairarapa region.

In response, NZ Police, Waka Kotahi, and partners, including Wairarapa Road Safety Council  have come together over May and June to collectively target people in Wairarapa who continue to think it’s okay to drink and then drive. People are reminded of the consequences through education and advertising, backed up on the ground by Police vehicle checks, enforcement, and driver education.

Holly Hullena, Projects Coordinator at Wairarapa Road Safety Council, emphasizes the social impacts of losing your license due to drink driving. "Losing your license isn't just a personal inconvenience; it affects your ability to work, socialize, and support your family. The ripple effects can be devastating for both individuals and the community."

"As a community, we must not tolerate drink driving," Hullena continues. "Together, we need to shift the attitudes and behaviors of our 'drink drivers' so they see themselves the same as 'drunk drivers'. For a long time, there has been plenty of information available on how to arrange a safer ride home. There’s just no excuse now."

Wairarapa Road Safety Council is joining forces with road safety partners to target people who continue to drink and drive and put us all at risk. Drink driving has a significant impact not only on the driver themselves but on passengers and people using the road around them. Around 40% of people injured in crashes involving alcohol were not the drink driver behind the wheel. Police will be out to enforce good road safety behaviors and those that choose not take heed of these messages.

Find out more to keep yourself and others safe, because there's more to lose than your license. Visit nzta.govt.nz/drinking-dont-drive.