Well done New Zealand - provisional road toll at zero

Police are praising Kiwi motorists after achieving the first ever fatality free Queen's Birthday Weekend on the country's roads.

Although still provisional, it is only the second time since records began that there has been a zero road toll during a holiday weekend - the last time was in Easter 2012.

"Well done to everyone on our roads this weekend who did their part to make it a safer one for all of us," said Assistant Commissioner Road Policing, Dave Cliff.

"It is fantastic that New Zealand has showed for a second time that when everyone does their bit, it can, and does, make a very real difference.

"The challenge now is to keep that momentum going, and Police will certainly be continuing to do everything it can to keep our roads safer."

The official holiday period began at 4pm Friday and finished at 6am today. Last Queen's Birthday Weekend, seven people died on the nation's roads, and 107 more were injured.

However, Mr Cliff said the zero fatalities only told half the story.

"Despite no-one losing their lives this weekend, we know that there are still likely to be a number of serious and minor crashes that have injured dozens of people - some with likely lifelong consequences."

New Zealand's worst ever Queen's Birthday Weekend on the roads was in 1973, when 24 were killed. "Thankfully we've come a very long way since then and the safer systems approach that New Zealand has taken towards road safety has led to a significant reduction in road related trauma."

Mr Cliff said in addition to a reduced 4km/hr speed tolerance, Police had focused on drink driving, restraints and risky behaviour.

However, road users had generally been very well behaved, despite heavy congestion in main centres and snow and ice in other parts of the country making conditions hazardous.

ENDS

Media contact: Ross Henderson, Ph 027 703 7329.