Holiday road toll 18

Eighteen people died on New Zealand roads this Christmas/New Year holiday period – six less than last year, according to figures from the Land Transport Safety Authority.

The official holiday period began at 4pm on Friday 24 December and ended at 8am yesterday.

LTSA spokesperson Craig Dowling said that while the figure was an improvement on last year it still represented far too many tragedies on our roads.

“Eighteen deaths means many extended families and friends mourning the loss of a loved one at a time when they should be celebrating the start of a new year.”

Of the eighteen deaths this holiday period 15 occurred in open road crashes. Eleven deaths were in crashes involving a head on collision. Five deaths were in single vehicle crashes in which drivers lost control of their vehicles.

“These types of crashes are typical of drivers travelling too fast for the road conditions. It is important for drivers not to become complacent but to take responsibility for their own safety and for the safety of others on the road.

“With many families extending their summer break through January there is likely to be more traffic than usual on open roads so drivers should take extra care."

Last year the January road toll was the worst since 1990, with 54 people killed on our roads.

“Lets not have a repeat of that. If motorists remember to be patient and keep their speed down, to wear their seat belts and to not get behind the wheel of a vehicle if they have been drinking then they greatly improve their chances of surviving the summer on the road,” Mr Dowling said.

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