The Land Transport Amendment Bill (No 2) has received a third reading and makes a number of amendments to the Land Transport Act 1998.

Subpart 1 of the bill makes changes to the law relating to alcohol interlocks.

The bill creates a single category for all small passenger services in subpart 5.

New powers are also given to enforcement officers in subpart 2 to deal with fare evaders on passenger services.

The law relating to drivers who flee is also changed in subpart 3, with increased penalties for fleeing drivers.

Transport Minister Simon Bridges says crashes involving a fleeing driver where people have been killed or injured have nearly doubled – from 60 in 2012 to 117 in 2016.

“The Government is committed to making New Zealand roads safer and reducing the number of people injured and killed in crashes. Increasing the penalties for fleeing drivers sends a clear message that this behaviour is unacceptable and will not be tolerated," he says.