A new public awareness campaign is highlighting the dangers of people mixing prescription meds with other substances and driving.
Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency is leading the initiative as part of the Government’s Road to Zero strategy which aims to reduce deaths and injuries from road crashes in New Zealand by 40% by 2030.
Waka Kotahi land transport director Kane Patena says the use of multiple substances by drivers across the country is common, including illegal drugs, prescription medications, and alcohol.
In both 2019 and 2020, over 100 people were killed in crashes where a driver was found to have drugs in their system.
“This presents a major safety risk to everyone who uses the roads. Research shows there is a significant increase in crash risk for drivers taking a combination of substances,” Patena says.
“The multiplied effect can impact people’s brains and bodies in ways that are particularly dangerous for driving.
“Combining substances can multiply their effects and reduce coordination, blur vision, cause nausea, and impede reaction times – all of which significantly reduces your ability to drive safely.”
Half of New Zealanders, at any time, have been prescribed strong pain, depression or anti-anxiety medication, with 28% being prescribed these medications in the past year, the agency says.
One in six New Zealanders report having driven a vehicle under the influence of strong pain, depression or anti-anxiety medications.
The campaign uses testimonies from police, medical and healthcare professionals on the impact of a range of substance combinations, and their ability to impact people’s ability to drive safely.
Toxicologist Dr Helen Poulsen says mixing substances and driving is not something most people would be aware of, “but it has a big impact on the ability to drive safely, and it needs to be talked about”.
The public awareness campaign supports targeted on-road police enforcement of impaired driving.
Earlier this month Government announced that random roadside drug testing will come into force from next year to deter drug-impaired driving as part of the Road to Zero strategy.
