'You're an adult, take responsibility' - strong message from Kiwi cop ahead of holiday driving season

December 20, 2017

The warning comes after four people died in four different crashes overnight.

NZ Police have a strong message for road users as thousands prepare to hit the road for the holiday season.

National Road Policing Manager Steve Greally said police are sick of handholding. 

"We can't be with you when you decide to have that extra drink before driving.

"You’re an adult. You've got to be held responsible for the decisions you make," he told 1 NEWS.

A horrifying four people died in four different crashes overnight, adding to an already inflated 2017 road toll.

Police said the people that are hurting right now are the families of the people who have lost their lives.

The four crashes overnight takes this year’s provisional road toll to 366 fatalities, 56 more than the same time last year.

According to history, it's going to get worse. The holiday period starts this weekend and more cars on the roads means a greater risk of more fatalities.

"We can’t be with you when you fail to put on your seatbelt, to tell you to put it on, or slow down, or not to take that risk on that blind corner," Mr Greally said. 

New research from the AA shows deaths on the road don’t just happen in extreme cases.

The research found was that about half of fatal crashes and three quarters of serious crashes just involve every-day, ordinary drivers making mistakes.

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