BE SAFE ON ROADS

A series of fatal crashes in the past few weeks have police urging motorists to drive carefully.

A driver was killed in Te Poi when he failed to give way to an on coming bus full of passengers. He was the only occupant in the car. None of the bus passengers were injured.

This was followed by another fatal crash in Waitoa which left one person dead and others taken to hospital with serious injuries. Police say while they are still unclear what caused the crash, it may have been a result of two cars trying to overtake another vehicle. As a result, one car was left in a drain and one almost vertical up a tree.

Matamata Police Prevention Officer Aimee Searle says while it all comes down to common sense, police are urging drivers to keep to the speed limit, always wear a seatbelt, don’t drink and drive, avoid distractions and stay off cell phones while driving.

While car accidents have been increasing, Searle says she is pleased there has been a decline in residential burglaries in the past week.

She says people should still remain vigilant about home and vehicle security. As the weather warms up, burglaries increase in the Matamata residential and rural areas.