Canterbury Police will be out in force this Easter weekend on all of the main state highway holiday routes enforcing speed, seat-belts, unsafe passing and other trauma promoting offences.
"The Easter weekend holiday period runs from 4.00pm Thursday 1 April until 6.00am Tuesday 6 April and has traditionally resulted in a relatively high number of crashes resulting in serious injury or death", says Inspector Al Stewart, Canterbury Road Policing Manager.
Over Easter weekend 2009 there were 6 fatal crashes and 125 reported injury crashes nationally. These crashes resulted in 7 deaths, 31 serious injuries and 160 minor injuries. About half of the fatal crashes occurred on the open road. One of the fatalities occurred in Canterbury after a motorcycle rider crashed on State Highway 75 descending from Hilltop to Cooptown.
"With 'Warbirds Over Wanaka' this Easter there will be higher than normal traffic volumes on the State Highways as visitors make their way through Canterbury, to and from Central Otago throughout the weekend. We are asking drivers to be patient with other road users, ensure they plan their trip and get plenty of rest, breaking the journey up where possible', says Stewart.
The use of headlights throughout the trip greatly enhances visibility, especially in adverse weather conditions which are likely at this time of year. As always, slower drivers and those towing trailers and caravans, are urged to closely watch their mirrors and to pull over when they can safely do so, to allow following traffic to pass.
"Please make sure that both you and your vehicle are in good condition for the long trip and be courteous and safe on the roads. Look after your mates and family, don't let a moment of frustration on the roads lead to a bad decision and arrive at your destination safely," says Stewart.
Extra info:
• Forty-three percent of crashes were single vehicle crashes in which a driver lost control or ran off the road, 23% were intersection collisions, 17% were rear end crashes or collisions with obstructions (such as parked vehicles), 6% were head-on collisions, 3% involved collisions with pedestrians, 3% were overtaking crashes and another 5% were manoeuvring.
• Drivers losing control (34% of crashes), inattention (25%), alcohol (22%), failing to give way (21%) and travelling too fast for conditions (19%) were the most common driver factors contributing to crashes.
Historical since 1980
Year Deaths Injuries
1980 15 213
1981 5 248
1982 13 240
1983 11 285
1984 15 258
1985 9 291
1986 15 254
1987 19 254
1988 12 283 The tolls for 2003, 2002 and 1998 were the lowest since the first available records for holiday periods in 1956. The previous lowest total was 4 deaths recorded in 1959. The highest recorded number killed is 21 which was recorded in 1971.
1989 16 214
1990 17 237
1991 12 238
1992 12 185
1993 11 165
1994 10 228
1995 9 192
1996 7 229
1997 6 218
1998 3 176
1999 7 145
2000 6 134
2001 4 161
2002 3 214
2003 3 190
2004 4 170
2005 9 209
2006 5 170
2007 6 202
2008 9 195
2009 7 191