It's the part of the job that every Police officer dreads: knocking on the door of a family to deliver the awful news that their loved one has been killed in a horrific road crash.
This Easter, Police and road safety agencies are urging all road users to play their part in making the long weekend a happy and safe one for all.
The official Easter Holiday period begins at 4pm on Thursday 2 April and ends at 6am on Tuesday 7 April. Road Policing National Operations Manager, Inspector Peter McKennie, says Police will be firmly focused on preventing risk-taking behaviour that is responsible for killing and injuring far too many people on our roads.
"This includes targeting high risk driver behaviour that puts all road users at risk – including drink and drug-impaired driving, speeding, and failing to wear safety belts – including for children and other passengers.
"In addition to breath testing and other high visibility policing tactics, we will be enforcing a reduced 4km/h speed threshold as we have done for every other long holiday weekend since Queen's Birthday Weekend in 2010. This means anyone caught exceeding the posted speed limit by more than 4km/h by a speed camera or a Police officer can expect to be ticketed."
Five people died on the roads last Easter, and three in 2013. The only fatality-free Easter ever recorded was in 2012.
The latest available Ministry of Transport data shows that around 30% of all fatal crashes and about 15% of injury crashes include alcohol or drugs as a contributing factor, which in 2013 translated to 78 people killed and another 1,666 people hurt.
The same data shows almost identical proportions of people killed and injured in crashes where speed was a contributor – with 83 people dying and a further 1,863 people injured during 2013 as a result – while 37 died during 2013 in crashes where the occupant was not restrained.
"This isn't rocket science," says Mr McKennie. “There are really simple things that everyone can do to make us all safer on the road, whether it's taking a few seconds to put a safety belt on, stopping a drunk driver from getting behind the wheel, reporting instances of dangerous driving, or simply making sure you plan your journey and drive fresh so you reach your destination safely."
For its part, Police will again be maintaining a highly visible presence on the roads, targeting known hot spots and high risk driver behaviours. This includes:
- Breath testing every driver stopped, regardless of the time of day or reason for the stop – including continued enforcement of new reduced adult alcohol limits.
- Enforcing speed limits through a reduced 4km/h threshold throughout the official holiday period, as with previous holiday weekends.
- Ensuring all adults are wearing their safety belt, and that children and younger passengers are properly restrained.
"Our officers do not want to see anyone killed or injured or their friends and family torn apart this Easter by a crash that could easily have been avoided. But we need everyone to step up and play their part, as road safety is everyone's responsibility. This means everyone driving sober, at the appropriate safe speed for the conditions, and wearing their safety belt.
"Putting away distractions such as the cellphone and driving to the weather and traffic conditions are among other things that can make is all safer, while friends, family and whanau can also make a real difference in ensuring mates and loved ones are safe and sober when getting behind the wheel."
ENDS
Contact: PNHQ Media, Ross Henderson, ph 04 470 7316 or 021 192 2919.