Police are disappointed at the concerning number of deaths on our roads over the past fortnight as they highlight the importance of safe driving behaviours every day.
Inspector Peter McKennie, acting Director of Road Policing, says since Monday 20 April, 18 people have been killed in 14 separate crashes. And as of this morning, 12 more lives were lost on New Zealand roads so far this year compared to the same point last year.
“Our thoughts are first and foremost with the families who have lost loved ones so tragically in recent days.
“Any death on the road is one too many. However, Police is extremely frustrated due to the fact many of these deaths could have been avoided with safer driving behaviours.
“Everyone should be extremely concerned about the rate of people being killed on New Zealand roads. Police remains committed to keeping everyone safe on our roads, and work alongside our road safety partners to do this. But we cannot do it alone, we need everyone’s help to keep our roads safe.”
Preliminary findings highlighted 16 of the 18 deaths over the past ten days occurred on open roads with 100km/h speed limits and no traffic safety barriers.
Police urge all road users to take extra care on roads with speed limits greater than 80km/h that have no traffic safety barriers in place. Any mistake on those roads can quickly end in tragedy.
“As a driver, never underestimate the decisions you make. They can affect not only you and those in your vehicle, but everyone else on the road around you as well,” says Inspector McKennie.
“There is simply no excuse for any driver to be endangering their lives and those of others with unsafe behaviours. Where we see any unsafe behaviours, you can expect to be stopped by Police.
“Simple behaviours like buckling up before you travel, not getting behind the wheel if you’re impaired by alcohol, drugs or fatigue, staying fully focussed on the road without any distractions, and slowing down, are crucial in avoiding crashes and deaths.
“There will be no tolerance from Police for those who choose to disregard road safety rules and put the lives of others at risk,” he says.
Road deaths since 20 April
- Nine crashes on roads with 100km/h speed limits involved the vehicle crossing the centre line and a collision with a vehicle travelling in the opposite direction. It resulted in 11 people being killed. The other three deaths on the 100km/h roads were off road crashes.
- Six people killed on the roads over this period were not wearing seatbelts, including one on a road with a 50km/h speed limit.
- Two fatal crashes involved motorcycles.
Excess deaths. The death stats have already been dumbed down to disguise the single vehicle deaths caused by ‘medical incidents’. Now they’ll have to dumb down the stats again, to hide the obvious – sudden death is the new normal.
Exactly. How many of these dead drivers were actually killed by the Pfizer clots blocking off the blood supply to their heart rather than from the crash itself.
100% right.
Let’s talk about the crappy roads we drive on. Recently I had the need to drive from Wellington to Naipier. I decided to choose some of the alternative routes, see some of the countryside.
Cracks pot holes. Third world roads. Completely unsafe. Diverting funds allocated to roading into handouts is having an effect on road safety and damaging our vehicles.
The new cars simply have too many screens; they may look great in the showroom but can cause neural dysmorphia. Taking the driver’s concentration for a mere split second potentially results in fatal error. Roads are now installed without bothering to post road names, on the assumption that every driver uses GPS. This is simply untrue. Many drivers prefer to memorise a route before departure rather than having to constantly glance at a screen in order to navigate. Relying on a GPS system means distraction from the physical road. It is infuriating that it is not an offence to use a cell phone whilst driving, where even hands-free means distraction from the road. Throw in the stress of the sneaky, hidden speed traps and the sneaky parking fines available nationwide and there is a recipe for disaster. Self driving and robo-mode may be fine for asian motorways but the fact is New Zealand roads are built for and by petrolheads who expect to do their own driving.
The gloomy prospect of the future where obtaining a driver’s license has become easier, beginning next year, apparently, is another absurdity and just asking for an even higher road toll.
Getting a driver’s license should be made harder, not easier, meaning understanding the road rules in a practical setting as well as online/ on paper and instances like this where the driver claimed not to understand the english language are unacceptable: https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/amal-salad-sentenced-for-causing-fatal-crash-that-killed-promising-young-jockey-ngakau-hailey/YRLZ7GHPMRBFBE2ODMAPONUYNM/