Region’s roads turn deadly
Manawatu¯ is heading towards its worst road toll for at least half a decade, leaving the area’s top traffic cop vexed at what is causing it.
Horizons Regional Council road safety co-ordinator Alastair Mayston presented some grim statistics at the council’s regional transport committee yesterday.
The road toll in the Horizons area in 2018 – from Horowhenua to Ruapehu, and Whanganui to Tararua – stood at 27 as of August 15.
That is higher than the toll at that time in all years from 2014 to 2017.
Three people have died on Horizons region roads since August 15.
There had also been sharp year-on-year increases in road fatalities in the 0-15 and 60-plus age groups by more than 200 per cent in each.
Of the 27 who died leading up to mid-august, 12 were passengers in cars and 10 were drivers. Thirteen died on rural state highways.
Central police district road policing manager Inspector Dave White said the issue went beyond deaths.
For the first quarter of the
‘‘I see some people doing something bloody stupid every day.’’ Ruapehu mayor Don Cameron
year, Manawatu¯ had its highest number of people hospitalised after crashes in 10 years.
‘‘In 2013, we had 22 people die. That was the lowest ever, pretty much. Now, in 2018, we are looking at the worst in five, six or seven years.’’
It was difficult to say what was causing the jump, but about a third of people who died were not wearing a seatbelt, he said.
That was despite research showing nearly 99 per cent of people wore seatbelts
There also appeared to be an increase in crashes happening in fine weather, he said.
‘‘I’m just wondering what has changed.
‘‘We have better cars and had plenty of road improvements, but more people are dying and going to hospital.’’
Whanganui mayor Hamish Mcdouall answered the question by waving his cellphone.
Ruapehu mayor Don Cameron said there had been a jump in freight and tourist traffic in his area, slowing things down for locals.
‘‘I see some people doing something bloody stupid every day.
‘‘They know the road, they know there are no passing lanes for 50 or 60 kilometres, so they undertake a crazy manoeuvre.’’
New Zealand Transport Agency regional relationships director Emma Speight said officials focused on making roads safer.
It was also important to update New Zealand’s vehicle fleet, as newer cars kept people safer in crashes, she said.