Serious crashes up in Franklin

Franklin’s Road Safety Liaison Group has released the latest six weekly report, which features mixed results.

While there are no fatalities to report, and the number of reported crashes have decreased, there has been an increase in the number of serious crashes.

Eighty one crashes in total were recorded, 16 of which were serious.

Franklin District Council Road Safety Coordinator Monique Haines says, “The main causes of crashes this period were driver error and driving too fast for the conditions. Rural serious crashes are still high, largely occurring in areas with open road speed limits.”

Of the 16 serious crashes, 14 were in rural areas. Nine were due to driver error, two with alcohol as a factor, four driving too fast for the conditions and one unknown.

Waiuku Road, Paerata/Karaka and Glenbrook Road still feature highly for crashes, with rural Pukekohe, Patumahoe and rural Tuakau also significant this period.

Monique says, “Of the sixteen drivers who had serious crashes, fourteen were local residents. This indicates again that locals are taking unnecessary risks and are complacent in their manner of driving, allowing driver error to occur.”

April is the only calendar month to date this year without a fatality on Franklin roads.