Let’s aim for another zero road toll

29 May 2014

Let’s aim for another zero road toll

The Automobile Association is hoping for a second straight Queen’s Birthday weekend without any deaths on the roads.

Last Queen’s Birthday weekend had no fatal crashes - the first time this had been achieved since records began in 1956.

“Long weekends where no one dies on the roads are possible,” says AA Motoring Affairs General Manager Mike Noon.

“Compared to last year, our road toll has started to climb back up recently so the AA is urging all drivers to really focus on the safety basics this weekend. That’s wearing seat-belts, sticking to the speed limit, staying sober and being seen.”

About 1 in 3 of the people killed in cars in the first four months of the year were not wearing seat belts.

“Drivers need to be making sure that everyone in their vehicle is using a seat-belt or proper child restraint,” says Mr Noon. “If someone you care about doesn’t use one, then try and convince them to belt up every time.”

“Police will be out in force and enforcing the lower holiday tolerance of 4kph so stick to the speed limit and keep a good following distance. It’ll make the roads safer, traffic flow smoother and reduce frustration as well.

“Being seen is also especially important as we head into winter. Use your headlights during the day if it’s raining, traffic is heavy or conditions are grey or murky.

“Most people have got the message about not driving drunk but there is still a small group that do a tragic amount of damage.

“If you are going to be drinking this weekend, make a plan before you drink for how you are going to get home. That might be organising a sober driver, getting a taxi or staying overnight where you are.

“If you are entertaining or out with other people, don’t let a friend drive drunk.”

The New Zealand Automobile Association is an incorporated society with more than one million members. It represents the interests of road users who collectively pay more than $2 billion in taxes each year through fuels excise, road user charges and GST.

www.aa.co.nz

ENDS

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