02 June 2011
Keep to the basics, watch your speed, keep left and remain attentive is the message from Waikato Police as they brace for a busy weekend on the region's roads this holiday weekend.
Reflecting on the deaths of four people on Waikato roads over the past four days Senior Sergeant Jeff Penno said people were dying from simple mistakes.
"Yesterday 57-year-old cyclist, Thomas William BRIGGS, lost his life when he failed to give way at a roundabout at the intersection of River Rd and Wairere Dr and was hit by a truck that had the right of way.
"On Monday a man died on a rural road outside Morrinsville when he failed to negotiate a signposted 85km/h corner while on Sunday night a woman died on SH39 between Huntly and Ngaruawahia when she failed to take a signposted 65km/h corner and her car hit another."
The fourth death was that of a 17-year-old male on Heaphy Tce Hamilton who was thrown from a car his 16-year-old friend had lost control of early on Saturday morning.
"One thing that had become apparent to us is that local people are dieing on local roads and to make a difference driver attitudes need to change, they need to become more attentive.
"Today, nationally, the road toll for the year is 120, this reflects the lowest road toll for the first five months of any year since we started recording road deaths over 50 years ago. But 26 of those deaths occurred in the Waikato where, despite over 60 less crashes, the road toll keeps climbing."
Mr Penno said to address this Waikato motorists can expect to see far more Police on the region's roads that ever seen before.
"But we can only do so much, motorists can be certain that if they speed they will suffer the consequences, be that enforcement action or worse, serious injury or death.
"The key is for everyone to do their part, allow your self plenty of time to get to your destination, don't get stressed and pull over if you need a rest, the stakes are just too high."
End