There was a significant increase in fatal road crashes caused by alcohol or drugs in 2007.
Ministry of Transport figures show alcohol or drugs were a significant contributing factor in 30% of all road crash fatalities last year, up 2.6% on the year before.
A report analysing the road crashes in 2007 will be issued on Thursday.
The ministry says last year saw a significant rise in drink-driving deaths, and that is a worry.
The figures show 15 - 19 year olds are the worst drink-driving offenders, followed by 20 - 24 year olds.
