Summer safety campaign launched in bid to stem horror road toll

November 30, 2018

A new safety campaign is being launched this summer after a deadly month on the roads, with 37 people killed in New Zealand from November 1-29, compared to 28 in 2017, 30 in 2016 and 27 in 2016. 

Since January 1, 2018, there had been 344 deaths on the road, up from 340 in 2017 and 294 in 2016. 

In the last 12 months, there were 382 deaths, again up from 2017's figure of 373 and 326 in 2016. 

Police Minister Stuart Nash said there were too many people dying on the roads. 

"It's up to all of us drive to the conditions and to not treat the speed limit as a suggestion.

"Everybody needs to pay attention to what they’re doing and when you’re socialising over summer, don't drink and drive."

Police and the NZ Transport Agency launched the new safety campaign in the lead up to Christmas.

It would be focusing on four main contributors to roading accidents: Not wearing seatbelts, driving too fast for the conditions, driving drunk, drugged or tired, and being distracted by factors like using cell phones.

Associate Minister of Transport Julie Anne Genter said police will be out on the roads "working hard to keep everyone safe". 

"These crashes impact families and communities across New Zealand. I don't want to see more people facing the festive season without their loved ones."
 

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