Drink driving convictions decline especially amongst young people

11:17 am today

The figures showed the number of people receiving an alcohol interlock order has risen 6.9 percent since 2019.

Photo: RNZ / Alexander Robertson

The number of people convicted of drink driving has declined by nearly 10 percent over the past 9 years with younger New Zealanders leading the charge.

According to Ministry of Justice figures convictions are down 52 percent for those aged 19 and under, 38 percent for 20-24-year-olds, and 20 percent for those aged 25 to 29.

The Alcohol and Beverages Council said in contrast, convictions rose among those aged 30-39 and over 55.

NZABC Executive Director Virginia Nicholls said rates were broadly unchanged for people 40-54.

However of those convicted, four out of five are men, while one in five are women.

In addition, the figures showed the number of people receiving an alcohol interlock order has risen 6.9 percent since 2019.

This technology has been in use by NZ courts since 2018 for repeat offences and first offences with very high breath or blood alcohol readings.

The technology stops the driver from being able to start the car if there is alcohol found on the drivers breath.

An NZABC commissioned survey found there was continued support for confiscating cars from repeat drink drivers, targeted support programmes for harmful drinkers, alcohol education in schools, heavier fines for drunk and disorderly behaviour and using alcohol interlocks in cars to reduce drink driving.

Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.