There's fear a reduction in alcohol breath testing will lead to not just an increase in drink driving, but also other types of crime.

An Auckland Transport report has revealed there was 28% more alcohol-related road deaths between 2015 and 17.

The number of breath tests halved during that time.

Researching Impaired Driving research director, Gerald Waters, told Larry Williams the deterrence created by compulsory breath testing is a key thing here.

He says it's high visibility policing.

"A high visibility police presence is paramount to tackling not just drink driving but all driving offending."

LISTEN ABOVE AS LARRY WILLIAMS TALKS WITH GERALD WATERS