Road safety focus continues

New Zealanders may be back at work but the summer focus on safe driving continues.

With 23 deaths on the road already in 2016, Police staff continue to concentrate on the most common factors in serious injury and fatal crashes – speed, fatigue, alcohol, distraction and lack of restraints.

Enforcement of the reduced 4kmh threshold will continue until the end of January.

Inspector Peter McKennie, Acting National Manager Road Policing, says motorists need to keep safety front of mind as they switch back into ‘business as usual’ mode after the holiday.

“Twenty-three deaths on the road represent a terrible burden of grief and suffering,” he says. “So many fatal crashes could be avoided if motorists made the smart decisions which allow them, their passengers and other road users to reach their destinations safely.”

Motorists are urged to stay sharp by avoiding alcohol before driving and taking rest breaks to avoid fatigue.

It is the driver’s responsibility to ensure passengers are properly restrained and to always drive to the conditions.

“Remember the speed limit is the maximum speed you can travel safely in ideal conditions,” says Peter. “Conditions are often far from ideal and drivers must respond accordingly.

“We’re still out there enforcing the law – but the prime responsibility for safety on the road lies with the road users themselves.”