Monday, 21 June 2010 - 7:49am |
National News

Driver in fatal Hamilton crash not wearing seatbelt

1 min read

Make it click is the message from Waikato Police following the fourth death on the District's roads of a driver not wearing a seatbelt.

Acting Waikato Road Policing Manager, Senior Sergeant Jeff Penno, said the most tragic part of Koroheke David WATENE's death in Friday's crash was that it was preventable.

"The crash is still being investigated by the Waikato Serious Crash Unit however initial indications are that the 31-year-old man lost his life after his west-bound Honda Civic car failed to negotiate a left hand bend and crossed the centreline into the path of an oncoming Toyota Hi-lux.

"Mr WATENE died at the scene, he was the sole occupant of his car while the two people in the Toyota suffered minor injuries and were taken to Waikato Hospital by ambulance."

Mr Penno said Police were currently investigating what, if any, part speed and alcohol played in Mr WATENE'S death which has been reported to the Coroner.

"What is clear is that this is the fifth death this year on Hamilton streets and the fourth death on Waikato roads of someone not wearing a seatbelt.

"Last year 11 people died on Waikato roads while not wearing their seatbelt and in the majority of cases, just like Friday night's crash on Rotokauri Rd, their death may have been prevented had they been belted in."

With 28 deaths on Waikato roads so far this year Mr Penno said people needed to heed the safety warnings and not fob them off as advertising slogans.

"If people give a damn on Waikato roads they will drive to the conditions and reduce the risk- a risk that affects all road users, not just 'someone else'."

End