Record breaking levels of breath testing across Tāmaki Makaurau to continue Record breaking levels of breath testing across Tāmaki Makaurau to continue

20 June 2024

With more than 900,000 breath tests conducted over the past year, Auckland Transport (AT) and the NZ Police have no plans to put the brakes on.

As part of AT’s responsibility around road safety, we’ve been working with police to increase breath testing across Tāmaki Makaurau.

Alcohol-related crashes contribute to about 15% of deaths and serious injuries on Auckland’s roads each year.

In the past 12 months, more breath tests have been conducted in the region than at any other time in the past decade, with more than 900,000 passive and screening breath tests done between May 2023 and April 2024. The last time we saw close to this number was in 2013, at around 700,000 tests.

This number has been steadily increasing over the past 2 years, and road users will continue to see police out across the region during the winter months.

“We want Auckland road users to know there will continue to be elevated levels of breath testing throughout the rest of the year so people will make informed choices about their transport options, particularly where alcohol will be involved,” says Teresa Burnett, general manager of transport safety at AT.

“We put safety at the heart of everything we do by investing in improving the quality of our roads and working with partners and communities to improve the safety of vehicles, influence central government policy and improve driver behaviour.”

Research shows that 48% of Aucklanders agree that if someone drinks and drives, they are likely to get caught. Ministry of Justice data from 2023 shows that 77% of drivers charged identified as male.

Relieving Tāmaki Makaurau’s road-policing manager, acting inspector Jason McIntosh says police and Auckland Transport will continue to work together to reduce the risk for all road users.

“Intelligent, collaborative deployment by road-policing managers across Tāmaki Makaurau and a concentrated effort by a group of dedicated officers have significantly contributed to the increase in breath testing.

“Our aim is to raise awareness of the drive drink-free message and encourage positive behaviours, rather than focus only on those people found to be breaking the law,” he says.

“As a community, we have a responsibility to ensure we drive safely at all times and do not take any unnecessary risks. Getting behind the wheel after drinking is one of those risks not worth taking.”

Acting inspector McIntosh says officers will be out in force anytime, anywhere to deter unsafe driving behaviour. “By significantly increasing alcohol breath testing across Tāmaki Makaurau, the message we are sending is clear and we hope people pay attention.”

With increased public transport services operating across Auckland, AT is encouraging you to plan before heading out. Jump on public transport, sort your sober driver or a taxi service, and have a plan B.

“Make sure you know all of the options available to get you home safely, just in case things don’t go to plan,” says AT safety manager Burnett.

The AT Mobile app can help you plan your safe journey home from just about anywhere in Auckland.

Note: This page was updated in July 2024 to correct a previous error regarding the percentage of Aucklanders who agree that if someone drinks and drives, they are likely to get caught.