Seven people died on our roads last Labour Weekend, five of these deaths happened on the open road. National Traffic Safety Manager Superintendent Steve Fitzgerald says people still need to slow down on the open road, lives can be saved if people watch their speed and show courtesy this weekend.
"People are still travelling far too fast for the road conditions and at unsafe driving distances. This is especially important this weekend as the weather is forecast to be grotty, again.
Sixty percent of road fatalities in 2000 happened on our state highways. Today NZ Police released its 158th Highway patrol car and the vast majority of these will be seen throughout the country. This is 158 more than last year. Their task is to ensure that everyone using the roads over labour weekend gets home safely, and you can bet your life that we will be targeting speedsters and unsafe driving practices that kill and maim", says Superintendent Steve Fitzgerald.
This morning the calendar year toll stood at 348 dead. "Our target road toll for 2001 is 420; we still have to make significant improvements to achieve this. We are appealing to the public for their help to reduce the impact that road fatalities have on extended families and friends.
Slow down, sober up, belt up and show some courtesy", he says.
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Released by Media Relations
For further comment please contact Superintendent Steve Fitzgerald on
025 435024