A warning to those taking prescription medication and getting behind the wheel

As part of the Government's aim to reduce road deaths by 40 percent by 2030 ... it's educating drivers on mixing prescription medication with other substances ... even a beer with dinner.

About 50 percent of kiwis have at some stage been prescribed strong pain, depression or anti-anxiety medication, with 28 percent in the past year.

However research shows if taken with other substances ... drivers are at risk of reduced coordination, blurry vision, nausea, and slower reaction times.

Toxicologist Dr Helen Poulsen says it's a risk people need to start talking about.