Fatal free month a first in five years for Central District

For the first time in five years Central Police District has gone a full month without a single person being killed on our roads, and Police are attributing the results, in part, to a campaign to drive down speed.

Since 2004 in Central District there have only been two other months with a zero road toll; November 2006 and February 2007. Statistically February is a high risk month for New Zealand roads with 17 people killed nationally in 2011 and 29 in 2010. This year the total was 17.

The Safer February campaign this year saw the lowering of the 100km/h speed tolerance, usually restricted to the holiday weekends, extended to the entire month.

District Commander Superintendent Russell Gibson said: "My staff are telling me they have noticed a change in driver behaviour and the results speak for themselves. Motorists need to be very clear that there is no golden rule that says you can stick your cruise control on to 109km/h and not get a ticket. Every circumstance is dependent on the conditions at the time and a number of other factors.

"I want to be clear that the speed limit is 100km/h and my officers retain the discretion to penalise anyone travelling over that speed, so if you travel through Central District and are not abiding by the road rules you are liable to be stopped.

"All too often the hurt and trauma attached to every fatality is glossed over and it has to stop. Every month that we go without a fatality is a month where we have a happier and safer community and I am not going to apologise for doing what we need to do to make that happen."

Superintendent Gibson urged all drivers to keep within the speed limits, be aware of other vehicles around them; general road and changeable weather conditions especially as we head into cooler weather.

Media enquiries should be referred to Superintendent Russell Gibson District Commander Central or Inspector Jeanette Park, Road Policing Manager:  Tel: 06:  351 2535