Road toll for 2020 ‘disappointing’

International tourists are often blamed for New Zealand’s woeful road deaths but the road toll for 2020 tells a different story.

Despite no international visitors in the country for most of the year, the road toll as of December 31 sits at 320 deaths – a total the Automobile Association (AA) labelled ‘‘sad and disappointing’’.

This is down from 350 deaths on our roads in 2019, However, the death toll is largely identical to last year once you factor in the month of April, which saw a massive decline in crashes due to the national Covid-19 lockdown.

Just nine people died on New Zealand’s roads in April, lower than any other month in the last 55 years. ‘‘Road deaths for the other 11 months of the year have been slightly more than 2019, which is a very sad and disappointing result,’’ AA spokesman Mike Noon said.

‘‘When Covid-19 first appeared and locked down the country, there was some speculation it may result in less deaths on the roads due to less driving taking place but this hasn’t ended up the case.’’

It was possible New Zealanders had been driving more than normal due to an increase in domestic tourism, though the AA did not have official data to back this up.

Overseas drivers were at fault in just 5 per cent of fatal crashes in 2019, meaning the vast majority of dangerous driving offences were committed by Kiwis.

The AA said it would be pushing the Government to make policy changes in 2021, including upgrading high-risk roads and increasing alcohol/drug testing.

‘‘No-one is a perfect driver and . . . we could all find at least one thing to do better in 2021. For some drivers, that might be making sure they keep a bigger following distance. For others, it might be slowing their speed,’’ Noon said.

The road toll for the ChristmasNew Year period currently sits at nine.

‘‘Road deaths for the other 11 months of the year have been slightly more than 2019.’’

Mike Noon

Automobile Association