News

Road deaths could have been prevented

Police say they are disappointed at this year's road toll of 422, which is an increase of 29 from the 40-year low of 393 in 2006.

However, Operations Manager for Road Policing at Police National Headquarters, Inspector Carey Griffiths, said the figures were misleading as the number of deaths per 10,000 vehicles was 1.3 - the same as 2006. "A lot of people get the impression that the road toll is going up but it has actually come down significantly," he said. "In fact, if we were killing people at the same rate as we were 20 years ago, the road toll today would be around 1100."

Mr Griffiths said that most of the deaths would have been preventable if motorists had followed the basic rules. "A preliminary analysis shows that driving too fast for the conditions and drink-driving were the two biggest factors in fatal crashes last year, with excessive speed a factor in 30 percent and drink-driving contributing to 30 percent," he said. "This year alone, 25% of vehicle occupants killed were not wearing a safety belt at the time of the crash and Police estimate at least 22 lives would have been saved by wearing one."

Police say that their focus for 2008 will be on the 'Fatal Five' causes of crashes, namely: speed, alcohol and drugs, failure to wear restraints, dangerous and careless driving and high risk drivers.

The number of drink drivers being caught by police increased slightly last year despite extensive campaigns. Mr Griffiths said this means the message is not getting through, and that it is time for people to take personal responsibility. Friends and family should also step in, telling people not to drink and drive or speed and be prepared to call the police if necessary. "As a community we shouldn't be tolerating bad driving and bad drivers... It's time to say enough's enough."

As well as drivers who intentionally took risks, there were those who were inattentive. Fatigue resulted in 40 road deaths and more than 1000 serious injuries last year. Driver distractions, including cellphones, cigarettes, fiddling with car stereos, eating and talking to passengers, were also a problem.

Toll up, targeted cut hard to hit (NZ Hearld) Road deaths disappoint (NZ Police press release) Holiday road toll rises to 17 (NZ Herald) 422 killed on nation's roads last year (stuff.co.nz)