The provisional 2013 road toll of 254 deaths reflects a partnership approach to road safety says Assistant Commissioner Dave Cliff.
"There's no one reason this 60 year low figure has occurred - it is the result of many factors including better legislation, enhanced enforcement, safer vehicles and better road design.
"It also reflects the fact that the majority of Kiwi drivers get the message about speed, alcohol and seat belts which police and our road safety partners have been relentlessly talking about in recent years."
"It is also pleasing to note that, since the November launch of the high profile multi-agency Safer Summer campaign focussing on speed and alcohol, the lowest December road toll since 1965 has been achieved with 23 fatalities in December.
"However, while today's numbers are welcome news, it is no great cause for celebration.
"We still have hundreds of families dealing with the devastating loss of a loved one from a crash in 2013. I am particularly mindful of the many more coping with a family member who has suffered serious injury, often with lifelong consequences.
"Because of this police and our road safety partners will continue to be 100 percent focussed on preventing as many crashes as possible in 2014.
"There is no room for complacency - police want fewer crashes, fatalities and serious injuries in 2014.
"We will continue to work closely with our partners in the Government's Safer Journeys strategy to produce a safe road system increasingly free of death and serious injury."
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