The provisional road toll for 2018 has been announced as 380 people – two ahead of last year and the worst since 2009.
The annual figure remains provisional and can be revised upwards or downwards following investigation of the circumstances of each accident. A medical event is not counted in official figures, but a death within 30 days of an accident would be included.
Police Minister Stuart Nash has extended his sympathies to the families and friends of the 380 people who died in vehicle accidents during 2018.
“There are far too many families who are missing a loved one these holidays after road accidents this year. It is devastating to know that many of these deaths were preventable,” says Nash.
“Although road deaths as a proportion of our population and in comparison to the number of cars on the road has halved in the past twenty years, we can do much better. We can work together to reduce the number of deaths.
“The main contributing factors are speed, failure to wear a seatbelt, distraction such as using a cellphone, and impairment from drugs, alcohol, or fatigue.”
“Police remain out on the roads working hard to keep everyone safe. But they can’t do it alone – we all need to be responsible every time we get behind the wheel,” Nash says.
“The summer holidays are not over, and I encourage everyone to remain patient, courteous, and pay attention behind the wheel to ensure you and your loved ones get where you’re going safe and well.”
The official holiday period runs from 4pm on Monday 24 December 2018 to 6am on Thursday 3 January 2019. The number of deaths so far stands at eight. During the 2017/18 holiday period there were 12 deaths.
The provisional figures show fatalities are made up of the following demographics:
– 49% were the driver of the vehicle and 24 per cent were passengers
– 14% were motorbike riders or pillion passengers
– 11% were pedestrians
– Just over 1% were cyclists
– 66% were male and 34 per cent were female
– 28% were in the sixty-plus age group
– 14% were children or teenagers
– 13% were aged between 20 and 24 years
– 48% died in crashes on the open road on state highways
– The region with the largest share of fatalities was Waikato at 17%; followed by Auckland and Canterbury with 14% each; and Manawatu/Wanganui on 12%
