A record low number of people died on roads in New Zealand in April, the lowest month on record since 1965.

Provisional figures show a total of 12 people died in road incidents last month including a 61-year-old truck driver who died when his truck plunged off a cliff on State Highway 29 near the summit of the Kaimai Ranges.

Te Awamutu man Athol Bree died when his truck crashed off SH29 in the Kaimai Ranges on April 11.

Te Awamutu resident Athol Ian Bree, 61, died when his truck left the road on the Matamata side of the Kaimais on April 11.

Associate Transport Minister Simon Bridges says the toll is an encouraging result but says there is still a need for progress on improving road safety.

The previous lowest monthly figure was 16 road deaths for February in 2012.

'This is an encouraging result, but still too many people are being killed and injured on our roads, and it will be little comfort to their families and loved ones.

'Road safety is one of the government's transport priorities and we will work hard to progress actions from our Safer Journeys strategy for reducing the rate of death and injury on New Zealand's roads.”

The record low April toll comes after the country recorded its lowest annual road toll in 50 years in 2011 and this year's first ever fatality-free Easter holiday period.

Simon says analysis is being carried out to find whether contributing factors to the 2011 toll can be better identified.

'The Government will continue our Safe System approach to road safety, progressing actions from our Safer Journeys Action Plan aimed at safer roads, safer speeds, safer vehicles and safer road use.

'Already we have strengthened driver licence tests, and work is underway to support the introduction of alcohol interlocks and a zero alcohol licence for repeat drink drivers.”
He says it's too early to say what this means for the longer term, but Simon urges people to do what they can to improve road safety and keep the road toll low.

'There are steps we can all take, like using common sense and caution on the roads, driving to the conditions and making safety a priority when purchasing a vehicle.”