Was this preventable? [managing drink drive offenders in New Zealand]

This paper critiques the current approach used to manage drink drive offenders in New Zealand and also to compile information on internationally recognised best practice initiatives used to reduce the harm from drink driving. In New Zealand repeat offending accounted for around a third of the detections and harm caused by drink driving. Only 5 per cent of detected drink drivers are assessed for alcohol problems. International research revealed that the use of alcohol ignition interlocks, rehabilitative efforts and Drug Courts reduced instances of drink driving and the harm caused by such behavior. I compiled this research into a series of papers and provided it to the ministries of Transport, Justice and Health; I also gave evidence to a Select Committee on proposed amendments to the New Zealand Land Transport Act 1998. The information I provided has helped facilitate the introduction to New Zealand of alcohol ignition interlocks, Drug Courts and more funding for internationally recognised best practice drink driver rehabilitation programmes. Compilation of peer reviewed evidence on the extent of the problems and possible solutions to drink driving in New Zealand helped inform decision makers on where their efforts were best focused. The research work continues in the form of a Charitable Trust lResearching Impaired Driving in New Zealandr. The Trust will next focus on drug impaired driving and youth drink drivers.