Parliament has voted to widen the scope of new drugged driving legislation to include benzodiazepines, a class of prescription drugs that can lead to severe impairment in driving ability.
Benzodiazepines are generally sedatives or anti-anxiety medications.
The drug will now be included in the Land Transport Amendment Act which comes into force on 1 November.
Transport Minister Steven Joyce says the drugged driving legislation is aimed only at drivers who pose a road safety risk.
