Road safety charity Brake is appealing to partygoers and organisers to ensure everyone in their group gets to and from celebrations safely.

As work Christmas parties and other celebrations are in full swing, Brake is reminding everyone to plan their travel and if driving to events, making sure the designated driver stays sober.

Brake's Driving for Zero campaign urges drivers not to drink any amount of alcohol or take any drugs before getting behind the wheel. The charity also urges family and friends to speak out and stop a loved one drink or drug driving.

Figures show that in 2017, alcohol and/or drugs was a factor in 111 fatal and more than 1100 injury crashes resulting in 130 deaths and more than 1500 injuries. Research shows that drinking any amount of alcohol can affect your driving.

"As a charity that supports people bereaved and injured in crashes, we witness the suffering that drink and drug driving inflict and appeal to everyone to help put a stop to it,” says Brake's New Zealand director Caroline Perry.

'Drink and drug driving deaths and injuries are cruel and needless, ending and ruining lives and leaving behind traumatised families to pick up the pieces.

"We want everyone to enjoy this holiday season and get to their destination safely. If you're driving home from celebrations it's vital you take your responsibility for people's safety seriously,” says Caroline.

'It's a proven fact that even small amounts of alcohol or drugs inflate your risk of crashing. So even if you feel okay after a drink, the reality is that if you get behind the wheel you're putting yourself and others in needless danger. The only safe amount of alcohol to have if you're driving is none."