New booze buses can also catch drugged drivers

Police say they will now be able to test drivers for drugs as well as alcohol with two state-of-the-art "booze buses" delivered to them today.

The Australian-built buses are expected to be in operation on Auckland streets over the coming week and will supplement the existing fleet.

The new vehicles cost about $236,000 each and are larger and provide more room for staff than the 19 booze buses already operating around the country.

They will also allow police to test and process drugged drivers for the first time, said superintendent Paula Rose.

"We have been using booze buses in our fight against drink driving for a number of years," she said.

"But the new vehicles take this to a whole new level."

They also feature a new livery funded by the Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) as part of its on-going campaign to reduce the amount of injury caused by drunk drivers.

ACC injury prevention programme manager Phil Wright said alcohol-related crashes were costing New Zealanders about $50 million a year.

"People are getting hurt needlessly and it's costing them and the country dearly," he said.

"By supporting police and the booze buses, we're working to reduce the number of people hurt by drunk drivers."

- NZPA