Speed, Driver Error and Alcohol Continue to Plague Franklin

Speed, driver error and alcohol are still the main reasons that Franklin residents continue to have serious accidents on Franklin roads.

That’s the findings from Franklin’s Road Safety Liaison Group after their latest meeting on 5 June. The group, with representatives from the New Zealand Police, Franklin District Council, ACC, LTNZ, Opus, Counties Power and others, is coordinated by Franklin District Council. Together they cover the areas of road safety expertise – Education, Engineering and Enforcement.

Each six week period a serious crash report is put together by Pukekohe Police Intel for the group. Overwhelmingly in the last six week period speed, driver error and alcohol caused the serious crashes. What also worries the group is the number of Franklin residents involved in the crashes.

“The welfare of Franklin residents is of the utmost importance to Franklin District Council. We are worried that Franklin residents are continuing to be seriously hurt on Franklin roads, especially when speed and alcohol are involved. Speeding and drunk driving are not accidents – they are choices that are ruining people’s lives,” says Franklin District Council’s Road Safety Co-ordinator, Monique Haines.

The fact that almost all of the drivers involved in serious crashes were travelling alone suggests that there is a need to always be vigilant about your driving.

The Serious Crash report for 22 April – 03 June indicated the following:

There were almost 150 traffic crashes in the period
13 were serious, resulting in either significant damage and/or medical attention being required.
1 resulted in death
11 of the 13 serious crashes were caused by speed, driver error and alcohol
10 of the 13 drivers who had a serious crash were local residents, many driving too fast for the conditions
12 of the 13 drivers involved in serious crashes were travelling alone in the vehicle
10 of the 13 serious crashes were in the rural areas of Franklin

“Don’t think that because you know a road you are safe to speed, drink or take your eyes off the road. After all, it is mostly Franklin people who have serious crashes on Franklin roads,” says Monique.