Excessive speed, alcohol and crossing the centreline are the most common causes of 165 crashes on Bay of Plenty roads, according to newly released report.

The Bay of Plenty District Health Board Trauma Service report released today, examining the region's serious crashes in 2013, reveals that 77 of the 165 crashes in 2013 occurred on rural roads.

A map showing the areas of motor vehicle crashes in 2013.

Tauranga is the next most common crash location, with 33 crashes, most of which occurred between 12midday and 6pm.

Additionally, nine crashes in Tauranga, Mount Maunganui and Papamoa were due to the driver's medical condition.

BOPDHB trauma nurse specialist, and report author, Katrina O'Leary says the report examined serious crashes - those resulting in a hospital stay greater than 24 hours for the injured.

'Although deaths from road crashes are trending down internationally, they remain a major public health and community burden, with most occurring from preventable causes,” says Katrina.

The State Highway network once again saw large crash numbers, particularly on State Highway 2 between Te Puna Road and Wainui South Road. Nine separate crashes occurred along the stretch of road last year with most occurring between 9.30pm and 9am – mostly after midnight and before 6am.

Four of these crashes involved alcohol with three of these also combining excessive speeds. Three of these crashes occurred from the driver falling asleep. Only one was contributed to wet roading conditions. Two of the crashes involved multiple victims.

There is only one known crash that produced injuries significant enough for a hospital admission as a result from texting whilst driving. This crash occurred in Tauranga.

Motorbike crashes accounted for 37 crashes with most riders wearing helmets. Many of these crashes are contributed to loss of traction from the back tyre while cornering and avoiding objects such as other cars or animals.

A 48-year-old Tauranga man suffered serious leg injuries when he was hit by a car on SH2 in Te Puna. Police said at the time the motorcyclist was travelling towards Tauranga when a car pulled out to overtake a heavy truck in the opposite direction, hitting the rider.

There were 18 incidents involving pedestrians being hit by moving vehicles. Seven of these pedestrians were intoxicated at the time. Other causes include hit and runs, pedestrian inattention, pedestrians unseen by drivers whilst reversing and intoxicated drivers.

Most of the crashes – 108 - took place between midday and midnight with crash numbers peaking between midday and 6pm. The next highest crash period is between 6pm and midnight when 45 of the crashes occured and the period from midnight and 6am remains the lowest crash incidence time with 22.

The report shows trauma remains a major health burden with more than 1500 traffic related admissions to Bay hospitals in 2013. It goes on to say these incidents can be devastating and life-changing with 10 per cent of admissions directly resulting in death.

In July Tauranga man Graeme Roy Voyce, 52, died when the Rover MG he was driving crashed on State Highway 29 on the Lower Kaimais around 4pm. According to police the black MG was travelling towards Tauranga carrying two people when it "suddenly crossed the centre line" just past McLaren Falls Road.

And in the space of one August 2013 weekend, three people were killed on Rotorua roads alone.

A 54-year-old driver was killed when his car crashed into a pole and then a tree near Reporoa. He was thrown from the vehicle and died at the scene.

The following day a 55-year-old woman died in a collision between her Honda SUV and a truck in Rotorua. Police say a truck crossed the centreline after failing to take a corner, and crashed head-on into the car on State Highway 30 just west of the intersection with Lake Rotokawau in Tikitere.

Then a man in his early 20s died after allegedly being run over by a car on Te Ngae Road, south of Rotorua Airport. Police say it appeared he had been lying on the road in the dark and was hit by an unsuspecting driver. Alcohol was believed to be a factor in this death.

Bay of Plenty Police Prevention Manager Inspector Scott Fraser says many of the region's accidents were preventable.

'It's pleasing that the number of deaths from road crashes are declining; in fact Bay of Plenty District recorded its lowest annual road toll ever [six].

'However, we remain the second highest district for road fatalities in the country and we share the concerns of our health colleagues that most of the common causes of road trauma are preventable,” says Scott.

'Our staff witness first-hand the tragedy and trauma caused by crashes and have the unenviable task of telling families their loved ones are not coming home. Road safety remains a priority for police and we will continue to work tirelessly along with other partner agencies to reduce death and trauma and to encourage all motorists to put safety first.”

The information for the review was taken from St John Ambulance records, the Midland DHB's Regional Trauma System data sheets, ACC forms, hospital web based patient administration systems, and from patients themselves.

By the crash numbers:

- 77 accidents were on rural roads.

- 33 crashes were in Tauranga.

- 9 crashes are due to medical conditions- all occurring in Tauranga, Mount Maunganui and Papamoa.

- 1 known crash from texting whilst driving

- 12midday to 6pm – common time for crashes.

- 9 separate crashes on SH2 – between Te Puna Road and Wainui South Road.

- 37 motorbike crashes.

- 18 incidents involving pedestrians being hit by vehicles