Kiwi drivers keep crash rates high

The number of car crashes causing injury has remained constant in the Mackenzie Country despite tourist numbers dropping significantly due to Covid-19.

Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency statistics show 26 injury crashes in 2020, compared to 32 in 2019 and 22 in 2018.

Two have been fatal, four serious, and 19 minor compared to three fatal, five serious and 24 minor injury crashes in 2019.

Senior Constable Brad Morton, of Lake Tekapo, said despite a huge drop in tourist numbers, he had noticed little difference in the number of crashes.

In the past, the region’s crash rate had often been unofficially blamed on overseas visitors, but Morton said the numbers this year defy that sentiment.

‘‘New Zealanders are still driving way too fast, meaning we’re getting just as many crashes.’’

Data from the past four years show of all injury crashes in the Mackenzie where the driver was at fault or partially at fault, 39 per cent held overseas licences.

From June 30, 2019 to July 1, 2020, 28 foreigners were either partially or primarily responsible for a crash in the Mackenzie, compared to 57 New Zealanders.

A further 89 drivers were involved in a crash but the person at fault wasn’t recorded.

Of those 28 foreigners, 10 were from East Asia, nine from Europe, four from South-East Asia, and one each from Australia, Israel, South America, and India.

Senior Sergeant Anthony Callon said there had been fewer driving complaints to police since overseas visitor numbers dropped, but the injury rate remained high.

‘‘New Zealand drivers die on New Zealand roads,’’ he said.

Since 2017, 13 people have died in crashes in Mackenzie, with 26 seriously injured and 115 receiving minor injuries.

NZTA estimated the social cost of crashes in Mackenzie since 2017 at $62.49 million.