Seven lives lost on the road is seven too many

Police are disappointed by the behaviour of road users so far over the long holiday weekend.

Superintendent Carey Griffiths, the newly appointed National Manager of Road Policing, said while some motorists had been well behaved, it was disappointing that there had been four fatal crashes claiming seven unnecessary lives. An eighth person who died in Queenstown is being excluded from the Labour weekend statistics because the crash was caused by a medial episode.

“With the official holiday period ending at 6am tomorrow morning, we are disappointed that we are now par with the number of fatalities over labour weekend in 2011. The challenge to all road users is to ensure there are no more.”

“When people choose not to wear seat belts, to drink and drive or exceed the speed limit they need to realise that those choices have permanent consequences. If you see your friends and family not following the basic rules, challenge them on it. You may save a life.”

Police have been out in force over the weekend, with a focus on targeting speed and flowing distances. A reduced 4km/hr speed tolerance is also in place.

Police are asking slower drivers to be mindful of other road users by keeping an eye on their mirrors and pulling over where safe to allow other traffic to pass. This helps reduce potential frustration that can lead to unsafe overtaking and other risky behaviour.

During Labour Weekend in 2011, eight people died and 17 suffered serious injuries in road crashes, while 92 more people received minor injuries.

“Holiday driving requires extra care and patience, and with so many more drivers on the roads, following distances become particularly important.

“As a good rule of thumb, to ensure a safe following distance, allow at least two seconds between yourself and the vehicle in front in dry weather, and at least four seconds in wet weather.”

Police have also rolled out 45 new mobile differential speed cameras to replace the 31 currently in use. This takes advantage of advances in technology that allow the automatic detection of speeding heavy and towing vehicles, which are restricted to 90 km/h on the open road.

For statistical information on holiday road toll, go to:

http://www.transport.govt.nz/ourwork/land/landsafety/holidayroadtolllabourweekend/