As 2014 ends with the provisional road toll at 297, 2015 has unfortunately begun with a death early this morning on the southern motorway in Auckland.
It’s a tragic start to the year say Assistant Commissioner Dave Cliff.
“Not only has one person lost their life, other passengers were injured and a number of families will be effected by this one crash. This is not the start to the year anyone wanted. We now have 11 people who have lost their life over this holiday period.”
While we have come a long way since the worst recorded death toll in 1973 when 843 people were killed, any death on a New Zealand road is one too many says Mr Cliff.
“At the end of the year, 297 people have lost their lives and families have been left without loved ones.
“Generally most Kiwis know and action the safety messages such as wearing seatbelts, staying alert, driving within the speed limits, ensuring they are well rested and sober. However everyday people make everyday mistakes and unfortunately a mistake while driving can lead to death and injury.”
Typically, around 11,500 people will be injured in crashes each year.
We have hundreds of families dealing with the devastating loss of a loved one and many more supporting family members with ongoing and in some cases lifelong disabilities says Mr Cliff.
“Therefore NZ Police and our road safety partners will continue our focus on preventing as many crashes as possible in 2015.”
"There is no room for complacency - Police want fewer crashes, fatalities and serious injuries.”
"We will continue to work closely with our partners in the Government's Safer Journeys strategy to produce a safe road system increasingly free of death and serious injury."
“We also invite more New Zealanders to encourage their friends and family members to stay attentive when driving, to slow down, wear their seatbelts and stay sober when behind the wheel. It may just be a piece of advice that saves them.”
Long term road toll trends are positive and the number of deaths has been reducing over time however international comparisons show that there is still room to substantially reduce road death even further.
New Zealand has adopted a ‘Safe System’ approach which recognises that people will make mistakes and that the system is built to prevent death and serious injury. The ‘Safe System involves;
· Making roads and roadsides safer
· Managing speed to safe levels through more appropriate limits
· Encouraging people to buy the safest vehicle they can afford
· Safe road users who comply with road rules and drive or ride to take account of the conditions
“At the end of the day, the goal is to have all families travelling safely and reaching their destinations together. One of the hardest jobs a Police Officer will do is to tell a family that one of their members has died as a result of a car crash.”
Notes:
· 297 is the provisional road toll for 2014. This number will be adjusted appropriately if required. Updated statistics can be found: http://www.nzta.govt.nz/resources/road-deaths/toll.html.
· While it is yet to be confirmed, 2 deaths have been recorded in the provisional road toll in relation to the Harihari Wanganui Bridge Crash.
· If people are considering replacing their car, we encourage you to check the vehicle at www.rightcar.co.nz and buy the safest car you can.
· The 2014 road toll of 297 deaths is the 3rd lowest since the mid 1950s when New Zealand’s population was just over 2 million.
· 2013 saw the lowest road toll of 253 recorded since the 1950s.
· The second lowest was in 2011 when 284 people died on the road.
END
Issued by Mere Wilson Tuala-Fata, Senior Media Advisor, PNHQ – 021 192 2918.