Drivers, passengers, friends and whanau are being asked to remind each other to follow basic road safety advice this Labour Weekend.
“We all want our friends and whänau to reach their destinations safely. There are very simple things you can say and do to help each other stay safe on roads at a busy and high risk time of year,” says Superintendent Carey Griffiths, National Manager of Road Policing.
This includes:
· Allow enough time to reach your destination by driving under the speed limit
· Be a legend – stop a mate driving drunk
· Remind everyone to buckle up before you set off
· Takes breaks along the way
· Make times to stop and use your cell phone – turn it off when you drive.
“These are all road safety basics. I urge motorists to turn their brains on when they set off, and keep them on until they get there. We all make mistakes, but not thinking clearly when driving, including driving while tired or distracted can have terrible consequences,” says Superintendent Griffiths.
The year so far has been a mix of record lows and tragic spikes for road fatalities. The three months from March to May saw 93 lives lost on the roads – 32 more than the same period in 2013. Then from July to September, 50 people died on the roads - the lowest number for any quarter since records began.
One person was killed on the roads last Labour Day weekend (2013). This was the lowest number of road deaths recorded over a Labour Day weekend since records began. However, 83 reported injury crashes left 20 others with serious injuries (Ministry of Transport figures).
Nationally, the crash risk for fatal/serious crashes is 14 percent higher over Labour Weekend. Particular risk times are Friday midday-6pm and Sunday 6pm-Monday 4am.
"Police patrol cars will be highly visible across the country as a reminder to drive sensibly," Mr Griffiths says. "As is normal throughout all long holiday weekends, speed thresholds will again below lowered and anyone who drives more than 4km/h over the permanent posted speed limit can expect to be ticketed. Fixed speed cameras will be active throughout the official holiday period, and mobile speed cameras will be deployed to their maximum operating hours, which we know is effective in helping to keep speeds down and save lives."
Police will also run highly visible compulsory breath test and licence checkpoints which target the times and places where people are most likely to drink and drive.
"We also encourage drivers to be patient and considerate towards each other especially given the expected higher volumes of traffic on the roads over the holiday weekend, particularly around the larger centres. If you're towing, or driving a slower vehicle, please regularly check your mirrors to ensure other traffic isn't backing up behind you and causing frustration for others, and then pull over where appropriate. Police can and does ticket those impeding other traffic where appropriate."
ENDS
Interviews and information:
· Up to 5pm Friday 24 October: Ross Henderson, Chief Media Advisor, 021 192 2919.
· 5pm Friday 24 – 8am Tuesday 28 October: After hours pager, 026 101 082.
· Superintendent Griffiths is available for interview 9-10am and 3-4pm each day during Labour Day Weekend. To request a slot please call the pager, preferably during normal business hours.
District media releases and interviews:
Contact the appropriate District Communications Manager.
Statistics: