“Many people in Aotearoa regularly take medication, including prescribed, bought over the counter and traditional remedies, to stay well and function; as society becomes more accepting of its use, the regular use of medication is on the rise.

Taken alone, medication has numerous benefits but when taken in combination with other drugs and/or alcohol, the risk of impairment markedly increases. Research shows that when medications are combined with alcohol and illegal drugs, the risk of being involved in a fatal crash can increase by up to 23 times. Each year, people are hurt and killed on New Zealand roads because drivers are under the influence of substances which impair their reactions.

This campaign primarily targets people who regularly use medication and think nothing of having an alcoholic drink or taking a painkiller for a headache or a sore back. We want them to seriously question the safety of mixing their medication and driving.”

Learn more from Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency (New Zealand, March 2022)