The AA is pleased to hear the Police will be focusing on a range of dangerous driving behaviour this Easter weekend.

Last Easter 12 people died on the roads over the holiday period. So far this year the road toll is very low and Police will be targetting several areas this weekend to try and keep it that way.

The Police will crack down on driver’s crossing the centre line, not wearing seat belts and getting slower vehicles to let traffic behind them safely pass, alongside the ever-present focus on speeding and drunk drivers.

“The AA supports the Police focusing on a range of dangerous driving behavior,” says the AA’s General Manager of Motoring Affairs, Mike Noon.

“The AA is concerned that many motorists think that the only people who crash are those that speed or drink drive. Lots of crashes happen when someone is within the speed limit and has not been drinking.

“Whilst fatigue and distraction are important crash causes, Police data actually shows poor observation by drivers is the most common factor in crashes,” says Mr Noon.

“At Easter there are more cars on the road and people are driving longer distances, so it is even more important for motorists to be focussed on their driving and the risks around them.

“Drivers who are focussed on the task of driving are far less likely to crash.”

The AA recommends the following Easter safe driving tips:

• Remember the ABCs for safe driving: stay Alert, take Breaks and be Considerate.
• Autumn weather can make for changeable conditions. Rain is predicted for some parts of the country so slow down and increase your following distance if roads are wet. Take particular care when it first starts to rain as roads will then be greasy and slippery.
• Beware of sun strike in the morning and evening. Keep your windscreen clean and try to anticipate when to use your visor before the sun strikes your windscreen.
• Before a long journey check your warrant, tyre pressure, oil and windscreen washer fluid, and have water on hand in case you get stuck in a traffic jam.
• Get a good night’s rest and don’t drive when you are tired.
• Take breaks at least every two hours and, if you can, share the driving on longer journeys.
• Drive with your headlights on in the daytime, especially if light conditions are poor, to increase your visibility to other motorists.
• If you’re riding a motorcycle this weekend, wear bright and reflective clothing so you’re easily seen.
• Find more safe driving tips on the AA website

Two weeks after Easter, New Zealand will be the first country in the world to mark the start of the Decade of Action for Road Safety (2011-2020), an international campaign being led by the World Health Organisation and Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) being launched around the world on 11 May.

Each year nearly 1.3 million people are killed in road traffic accidents around the world and up to 50 million suffer injuries. The Decade of Action campaign is calling for greater focus and efforts by all nations to improve road safety.

For more information contact

Mike Noon
General Manager: Motoring Affairs
New Zealand Automobile Association
T. +64 9 931 9984
M. +64 21 659 704
Email: mnoon@aa.co.nz