Fatal crash a timely reminder

Bay of Plenty Police are urging people to take their time on the roads this Labour Weekend following a fatal crash in Tauranga on Wednesday.

'The North Island weather is looking relatively promising but that doesn't mean there still won't be risks on our roads,” says Bay of Plenty road policing manager Inspector Kevin Taylor.

A man died in a crash with a mobile library bus on Wednesday.

'Just yesterday a fatal crash in Tauranga showed how lives can be cut short in a second and families can be left with the heartbreak of losing a loved one.”

Many families will be heading away for the weekend and Bay of Plenty Police want everyone to have fun and return home safely.

There was just one fatality in New Zealand last Labour Weekend, which was the lowest number since records began, but Kevin says it was one too many and it was here in the Bay of Plenty.

He says this is not something he wants to see repeated.

'The Bay of Plenty is a beautiful place,” he adds, 'so whether you're staying here, visiting or just passing through, enjoy it, don't rush it.

'Our staff will have a high visibility presence on the roads over the weekend and will be proactively engaging with drivers, encouraging concentration and sensible decision-making.”

There are a number of things everyone can do to help stay safe on our roads:

· Allow time to reach your destination by driving under the speed limit

· Be a legend – stop a mate driving drunk

· Remind everyone to buckle up before you set off

· Takes breaks along the way

· Make times to stop and use your cell phone – turn it off when you drive.

Remember that speed thresholds will be at the normal holiday threshold, so anyone who drives more than 4km/h over the permanent posted speed limit can expect to be ticketed.

The inaugural Tour of the Bay of Plenty also takes place this weekend.

Approximately 300 cyclists will be riding from Rotorua to Matata on Saturday, twice around Lake Rotorua on Sunday and from Rotorua through the Waikiti Valley on Monday.

'It's important that cyclists and drivers alike take joint responsibility for safety and share the road,” says Kevin.

You may also like....

0 comments

Leave a Comment


You must be logged in to make a comment.