The Automobile Association is deeply disappointed that road deaths have risen in 2016.
 
Provisional data shows 328 New Zealanders have been killed in 2016. That follows 319 deaths the year before. The previous five years’ annual road tolls have been:

“Sadly it has been a year where more people have died on our roads,” says AA Motoring Affairs General Manager Mike Noon.
 
“There were actually slightly fewer fatal crashes but more incidents where multiple people died.
 
“The road toll is not just 328 families that have lost loved ones this year either. Thousands more people have been seriously injured in crashes and this has a major impact on their families, communities and emergency crews, the health system and courts.”
 
Looking back, the rate of road crashes in New Zealand today is much lower than it was through the 1980s, 90s and even 2000s. But since 2011 the crash rates have stopped declining apart from the record-low of 2013.
 
Other countries are seeing similar trends, with Australia and many European nations having also had recent road toll increases after long periods of decline.
 
“The Government has research underway now on what is behind the recent increase in road deaths but one thing we know for sure right now is that we need to do better,” says Mike.
 
“There has been some significant road safety improvements made this year with the Government announcing a $600m investment to upgrade high-risk rural highways, introducing a modern approach to setting safe speed limits and looking to make alcohol interlocks mandatory for the most dangerous drink drivers.
 
“Those are all going to make a difference in the longer-term but we also need drivers to play their part and make safe choices every time they are behind the wheel.
 
“Every day around the country there will be many times when something unexpected happens on the road and people need to react in an instant. If you are going too fast for the conditions, following too close or are not paying attention that might mean you aren’t able to stop in time.
 
“Making our roads safer is about more than just wearing your seatbelt and not drinking and driving. Every driver will have moments where they could play it a bit safer and lessen their risk of ending up in a crash.”
 
Ways every driver can help bring down the road toll:

• Drive to the conditions
• Stick to a safe speed
• Give yourself more following distance
• Keep your focus on driving
• Don’t drive if you’re tired or affected by alcohol, illegal or prescription drugs

For more information contact:

Mike Noon
General Manager Motoring Affairs
New Zealand Automobile Association
M. 021 659 704
E. mnoon@aa.co.nz