Holiday road toll highest in more than a decade
The number of deaths on Waikato roads this holiday season is the highest in more than a decade, and Hamilton’s top road cop says it’s a combination of the heat, increased traffic, and lockdown.
Six people died on Waikato roads this summer holidays – the highest road toll since the summer of 2008 and 2009, when eight people died.
The official holiday road toll period started at 4pm on December 24 and ran until 6am on January 5.
Waikato road policing manager Inspector Jeff Penno said fatigue, heat, and distractions contributed to crashes.
The crash risk was worst at 3pm because of the circadian rhythm, he said. People had eaten lunch, were hot, tired, and more likely to fall into a driving lull.
During the holidays, the roads were busier and people were travelling further, he said. ‘‘With lockdown, no one could travel, so the roads have been busier since then.’’
Last year, Waikato’s holiday road toll was zero, and in the summer of 2019 and 2020 only one person died on the region’s roads.
Extreme behaviour was not usually what caused crashes, Penno said. It was people driving a little too fast, a bit too often.
‘‘If you are going too fast, and something happens, the chance of survival is less.’’
Penno said crashes also had long-term impacts for those injured.
For every one person who died, nine or 10 were seriously injured.
‘‘The rules and regulations are there for a reason.
‘‘If you obey the speed limit, are sober, alert, and complying with the road rules, nothing should happen. But, if it does, you should be able to survive.
‘‘People need to understand the consequences of their actions. They aren’t bulletproof.’’
Penno said despite the bad holiday road toll, 2021 ended with fewer road deaths than usual.
Last year, Waikato recorded 37 fatalities
from 35 crashes – five fewer than the previous year. ‘‘That is a great result, but still 37 people too many, and so many preventable,’’ Penno said.
Te Manatū Waka mobility and safety manager Robert Anderson said the agency was disappointed to see the harm on New Zealand roads this holidays.
‘‘Each and every one of the lives lost and people injured is a devastating tragedy, which has a lasting impact on our communities.’’
On average, one person is killed every day on New Zealand roads, and another seven are seriously injured.
Nationwide, there were 17 deaths in the Christmas and New Year’s period of 2020 and last year.
Anderson said road safety statistics showed alcohol, drugs, and speed continued to be leading contributors.
‘‘We also see factors, including loss of control, distraction, and driver experience, contributing to a high number of road crashes.
‘‘Every decision people make on the roads could be the difference between them getting home to their loved ones or not.’’
Anderson said road deaths and injuries were preventable, and New Zealanders needed to shift their attitudes to zero tolerance.
‘‘It is time we stopped accepting that a certain amount of death and serious injury is just the price we all pay for moving around.’’