A New Zealand mother advocates for tougher drug-driving laws after her daughter's 2023 death, as the country expands roadside drug tests to include THC, MDMA, cocaine, and methamphetamine by mid-2026.

The mother of 15-year-old Vaishali McNeill, killed in a 2023 head-on crash in New Zealand, is pushing for stricter drug-driving laws, as the country expands roadside drug testing to include THC, MDMA, cocaine, and methamphetamine, with a nationwide rollout expected by mid-2026. While no penalty increases are planned, the tests trigger a 12-hour driving ban and lab confirmation. In the Bay of Plenty, 33 people died in road crashes in 2025—up from 24 in 2024—with most fatalities on high-speed roads and involving young males, motorcyclists, and pedestrians. Authorities attribute recent reductions in deaths to stronger enforcement and emergency response but warn that impaired driving, speeding, and fatigue remain major risks.