Road deaths for April-May lowest on record

A record low number of deaths were recorded on New Zealand roads for the months of April and May, following the introduction of "anywhere anytime" speed cameras on April 7.

The combined road toll of 55 deaths for the two months is a 32% drop from the 81 killed during April-May last year, and the lowest since monthly recording began in 1965. The average April-May toll for the previous five years was 84.

Police infringement data shows there has been no increase in the number of speed camera tickets issued since "anywhere anytime" speed cameras were rolled out over Easter weekend.

"When you add all of these things together, the most likely explanation is that drivers have slowed down, serious crashes have dropped and more people are alive today because of that. None of the predictions about a ticketing bonanza have come to pass. This measure is intended to save lives, not to collect money," said Director of Land Transport Safety David Wright.

The change to "anywhere anytime" speed camera deployment is part of a package of enforcement measures announced by Government last year to help meet the goal of no more than 300 road deaths per year by 2010. The road toll last year was 461.

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