Road Safety Still a High Priority for Police

New Zealand Police is joining with Police jurisdictions in Australia in calls to reduce speed this Easter after the horrific loss of life witnessed on our roads last Christmas holiday period.

Police are conducting Operation Crossroads this Easter (5-9 April 2012) to focus awareness about road safety issues, in particular drink/drug driving, speeding, fatigue, distractions and seatbelt compliance.

As part of this campaign, NZ Police will be lowering their customary speed tolerance to 4km as well as carrying out high visibility enforcement.

"We believe that this works to focus the attention of drivers during these busy periods said Acting Superintendent Rob Morgan - New Zealand Police national manager for Road Policing  " and  we know if we can keep speeds down, we will save lives."

Jon White CEO of ANZPAA, the agency that serves Police Commissioners in Australia and New Zealand, said that: “Police Commissioners are asking drivers to be particularly careful this Easter.

Although Australia and New Zealand witnessed some of the lowest total road toll figures for 2011, the Christmas holiday road toll period was one of the highest it has been in some time.”

“Many road users continue to show a disregard for their safety and the safety of others by continuing to travel at excessive speed.

“Some motorists regard breaking the speed limits and getting caught as ‘unlucky’. But the consequences of driving too fast can be very serious. Moderating speed is critical in having safer roads and reducing the chances of injury or death,” said Mr White.

Excessive speed accounts for 34 per cent of deaths and is also a contributory factor for more than 13-20 per cent of serious injuries on Australian and New Zealand roads.

Operation Crossroads is the national campaign where all police jurisdictions across Australia and New Zealand get together to educate and encourage motorists to drive appropriately while being aware of the associated dangers.

Operation Crossroads takes the Safe System approach to road safety. Safe System is a holistic road safety method used by governments in Australia and New Zealand. It represents a fundamental shift in the way road safety is thought about. The Safe System links safe roads and roadsides, safe vehicles and safe road use.

Mr White said that while speed was one of the contributors to road accidents and fatalities, there were many variables that contribute to road trauma tragedies such as alcohol, drugs, fatigue, mobile phone use and not wearing seatbelts.

“Speed is a major cause of serious road accidents; however we don’t just want people to think that as long as you stick to the speed limit you are safe. We are calling for all drivers to constantly evaluate their speed among other aspects of their driving, such as obeying road rules, paying attention to your surroundings and being courteous to other road users," said Mr White.