Serious Crash Numbers Stay High

Every six weeks 12 – 13 serious crashes are reported in Franklin. This number doesn’t seem to be changing, despite the fact that the total number of crashes reported every six weeks has dropped from almost 150 earlier this year to 43 during the most recent period.

“It seems that general road safety improvements don’t affect the core of serious crashes in Franklin,” says Franklin District Council’s Road Safety Coordinator, Monique Haines.

As an example of this, Monique points to Franklin’s Road Safety Liaison Group’s latest statistics from their recent six weekly meeting. The total number of vehicle crashes more than halved from 96 for the six weeks between 09 July and 12 August, to 43 for the six weeks between 13 August and 23 September. The number of serious crashes however rose from 12 (in the earlier period) to 13.

Every six weeks a serious crash report is put together by Pukekohe Police Intel for Franklin’s Road Safety Liaison Group. 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.

The Serious Crash report for 13 August – 23 September indicated the following:

There were 43 traffic crashes in the period, less then half the previous six week period
13 were serious, resulting in either significant damage and/or medical attention being required
11 of the 13 serious crashes were caused by driver error and alcohol
10 of the 13 drivers who had a serious crash were local residents, indicating a possible complacency about driving standards on roads people feel they are familiar with

“Driver error and alcohol are still causing too many serious crashes in Franklin. Ultimately, the responsibility rests with the drivers and unless people change their driving behaviour the serious crash numbers in Franklin will remain the same,” says Monique.