Drug use is rife among truck drivers and the government must hold an inquiry, Labour says.
Transport safety spokesman Iain Lees-Galloway is citing evidence from Operation Austrans - a multi-agency Australasian enforcement operation targeting fatigue, drug use and other road safety issues in the heavy vehicle industry.
He says it has shown drug use, particularly methamphetamines and other stimulants, is rife.
"The reason for this is clear - drivers under pressure to meet extreme deadlines use whatever means they can to stay awake longer and drive further to make sure they hit their targets," he said.
"The government should hold an open inquiry into the causes of drug use in the transport industry."
Mr Lees-Galloway says contracts, wages, time pressure and industry culture should be in the terms of reference for an inquiry.
"Research from the Australian Transport Council and the New Zealand Ministry of Transport show that heavy vehicles account for 18 per cent of all road fatalities in New Zealand and Australia, equating to 65 deaths in New Zealand every year."
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