Almost every road crash is preventable. That is the message the AA wants drivers to take on board as we head into the riskiest time of the year on our roads.

Over the next two weeks our highways will be full of holidaymakers travelling around the country and the Christmas to New Year holiday period traditionally sees a spike in the number of road crashes.

During this period last year, 19 people died and 400 were injured from crashes. The sad truth is virtually every crash is preventable.

Looking at the factors involved in the crashes during the last Christmas holiday period, the most common were a driver losing control of their vehicle (38%) and inattention (20%).

“There are very, very few crashes due to an unavoidable or freak event,” says AA Motoring Affairs General Manager Mike Noon.

The AA would like every driver to challenge themselves with one question these holidays: ‘Am I doing everything I can to prevent being hurt in a crash?’

In April this year we had 11 days without a death on the roads, including Easter weekend, and there is no reason we cannot do it again if everyone on the roads makes good choices.

At the most-basic level that is being sober, wearing a seat belt and not speeding but the AA wants drivers to realise there is much more to being a safe driver.

“Every time you get into a car you choose how aggressively you will drive, how focussed on your driving you will be, how fast you will go and whether you are fit to drive and not impaired through alcohol, drugs or fatigue.

“The choices you make every time you drive can prevent crashes. The AA urges everyone to think hard about the choices they make when driving on the roads this summer. Do all you can to keep yourself and everyone else safe, and prevent being in a crash.”

The AA’s top tips for preventing being in a crash these holidays:

• Increase your following distance
• Keep left unless passing
• Don’t drive tired
• Leave your phone alone
• Let others pass if they are going faster than you
• Don’t speed
• Be aware of other road users

For more information contact:

Mike Noon
General Manager: Motoring Affairs
New Zealand Automobile Association
T. (04) 931 9984
M. 021 659 704
Email:  mnoon@aa.co.nz