A selfish disregard for the safety of other road users is how a senior Waikato Police officer describes the actions of a driver involved in an early morning crash in Hamilton this morning in which speed, alcohol and driving unrestrained all appear to have been contributing factors.
District Road Policing Manager, Inspector Freda Grace, said emergency services were called to the scene of the crash on Maeroa Rd in the suburb of Beerescourt about 5.23am today.
"A local resident had woken to a loud bang and the sound of a car horn going off continuously.
"The crash is currently under investigation by the Waikato Serious Crash Unit and initial indications are that the driver of a Toyota Avensis station-wagon travelling on Maeroa Rd towards Norton Rd failed to negotiate a bend and the car crossed the centreline and fishtailed before hitting a tree."
Mrs Grace said as is often the case, the tree came away relatively unscathed however the same could not be said for the occupants of the car.
"The male driver of the car suffered serious to critical injuries while the man travelling as a front seat passenger suffered serious injuries. Two men travelling as rear seat passengers were shaken but unhurt in the crash and the two injured males were taken to Waikato Hospital by ambulance.
"At this stage it appears speed, alcohol, poor decision making, not driving to the conditions and not wearing seat belts all contributed to what happened this morning and the most frustrating aspect of the whole incident is it was completely avoidable."
Mrs Grace said with icy roads, busier traffic flows with the return of children to school following the holidays and the general risks associated with winter driving, the last thing motorists should be considering is drinking and driving and driving at speed.
"Road safety is no accident, its all about driving to the conditions which includes both climate and driver conditions. People travelling in vehicles should ask the driver, are they, and their vehicles fit for the road and are we, and other road users, safe?"
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