A total of 14 people have died on New Zealand roads since the holiday period started at 4pm on Wednesday, December 24.
This is double the number of people killed in crashes last year.
Two people died as a result of a crash with a milk tanker near Paengaroa.
Of those 14, three people lost their lives as a result of crashes in the Western Bay of Plenty.
One person was killed in a crash in Te Puna on Boxing Day and two others died after a vehicle crashed with a milk tanker on State Highway 2, near Paengaroa, on December 28.
Three days into the New Year, four lives have been lost in car crashes.
This is more than disappointing, it's devastating that so many people have lost their lives these holidays and due to the same common factors, says Assistant Commissioner Dave Cliff.
'Initial indications across eight of these tragic deaths are that alcohol and speed have been major factors. It is a bad decision to drive after drinking. It's that simple.
'No-one can afford to not intervene and stop their family member or friend from getting behind the wheel after drinking,” says Dave.
'You may think it's ok, we'll be right and it won't happen to them. But crashes are happening, people are getting seriously injured and people are dying.”
Police staff and emergency services across the country have attended numerous crashes this holiday period and unless driving behaviour changes, they will be attending hundreds more this year.
Police will continue to focus our efforts in reducing the death and trauma that occurs from crashes around New Zealand, says Dave.
'But we all have a role to play, so to all New Zealanders, all family members, all friends, please slow down on our roads, pay attention while driving, wear seatbelts and be well rested and sober before getting behind the wheel to drive.”
Statistics:
Of the 14 deaths on the road:
- Resulting from 12 fatal crashes
· Alcohol and/or speed has been provisionally cited for 8 of the holiday fatal crashes (5 - alcohol & speed, 2 - speed only, 1 - alcohol only)
· Driver fatigue/ inattention provisionally cited for 4 of the holiday fatal crashes.
6 comments
good to see
Posted on 03-01-2015 21:29 | By s83cruiser
the revenue gathering lower speed limit is really working. The coffers are filling and the road toll has doubled. Go figure. What excuse will be used now for the high road toll?. Maybe banning cars from the road would be the answer. The reason why drivers a getting fatigued is because they are tired out trying to watch the road and the speedo all the time to stay under the stupid limit that has done nothing but double the road toll. I came home from Waihou Bay new years day and at times I was I a line of traffic doing a ridiculous 65km/hr in a 100km zone. Made me sleepy and frustrated with the stupidity of people driving at such a low speed on the open road. At least at 100km/hr you mind is on the job.
Meanwhile
Posted on 04-01-2015 00:13 | By Capt_Kaveman
there was this car at the flying mile doing around 70kph , when a car 2 cars behind it past at the bridge at the bottom, someone was about halfway down coming the other way and yip it was close, poss head on, and up over the hill a police car parked hiding on the road edge , and for what? which is worse someone 2-4ks over or 25-30 under???
@ s83cruiser
Posted on 04-01-2015 07:49 | By Paul Melhuish
Are you having a laugh? Your reasoning is from another planet. Not an ounce of sense or proof in anything you say.
Another thought
Posted on 04-01-2015 11:23 | By The author of this comment has been removed.
The lower alcohol limits have also not bought down the road toll either. From my observations alcohol was involved in many of these fatalities. Not a jot of difference has been made yet, neither will it in the future. Simply revenue gathering, but of course the authorities couch this with great intentions.
@s83cruiser....
Posted on 04-01-2015 11:43 | By Jimmy Ehu
fully agree, and all and sundry have been bleating on about our dangerous roads, yet we have some "plonker" for his own personal gain roller skiing on our highways.
@Paul Melhuish....
Posted on 04-01-2015 15:59 | By Jimmy Ehu
and you on the other hand have unequivocal proof that what laws are in place now, work.
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