During February, March and April this year Canterbury Police ran several high profile operations targeting driver behaviour. Only six people have been killed on our roads during this time. In the years 2002 - 2005, on average 17 people died on Canterbury roads each year during that same three month period.
"In other words, you had twice as high a chance of being killed during this time as in other months of the year," says Senior Sergeant Neville Hyland, Highway Patrol.
"Canterbury got off to a bad start this year, with nine people dying on our roads during January. Six people have died during February, March and April. This figure compares to 18 during the same 3 month period in 2005," he says.
The 2006 Canterbury road toll currently stands at 15, three fewer than at the same time last year.
"While every road death is a tragedy, any reduction in numbers means fewer grieving families," says Senior Sergeant Hyland. "There were no deaths on Canterbury roads over Easter, a time of high traffic volume."
Operation Impact began on 13 February. It involved a high level of visible enforcement, as well as highlighting to the public the extent of the issue being confronted. On occasions, the operation included staff from other South Island Police districts, ensuring a high Police profile could be maintained.
The period of Operation Impact included several other local operations, addressing both urban and rural driving, with emphasis on intersections, schools, speed, restraints and alcohol. The long Easter weekend also fell within this time.
"While we were impressed with the patience and attitude of most drivers over that period, there are still those who continue to drive at ridiculously high speeds, or drive after drinking, apparently uncaring of the fact that should something go wrong, it's likely their actions will impact on innocent road users," says Neville Hyland. "Police will continue with their hard line on enforcement of all road user behaviour."
"As winter approaches, it is important that Canterbury's drivers keep their guard up, and with weather being a major factor they must remember to reduce speed and drive to the conditions," he says.
It will be some months before final figures of crash numbers, injuries and hospitalisations are available for the period of Operation Impact.