Drivers are being urged to take extra care on the roads this King’s Birthday weekend as emergency services focus on the behaviours that continue to cause serious crashes.
New Zealand Police, Fire and Emergency New Zealand and Hato Hone St John are reminding drivers that everyone has a role to play in keeping roads safe, particularly during the busy holiday period.
Road policing director, Superintendent Steve Greally, said officers will be highly visible and prepared to take enforcement action where necessary.
“Regardless of if you’re travelling near or far, we all want everyone to get to their destinations safely over King’s Birthday weekend,” he said.
“We will be taking the necessary enforcement action wherever we see road users endangering their lives and the lives of others.”
Police said their focus remains on the “fatal four” – restraints, impairment, distraction and speed – which continue to be the leading contributors to deaths and serious injuries on New Zealand roads.
Greally said too many lives have already been lost this year because of drivers travelling too fast for the conditions, driving while impaired by alcohol, drugs or fatigue, or becoming distracted behind the wheel.
“Our officers unapologetically focus on these behaviours in an effort to prevent other families and communities from being torn apart due to a crash that could have been avoided.”
Fire and Emergency New Zealand is also urging drivers to take care, particularly around crash scenes and when emergency vehicles are responding.
Deputy national commander Megan Stiffler said motorists should slow down, remain calm and safely pull over when they see flashing lights or hear sirens.
“Attending motor vehicle crashes is a big part of what we do – and our firefighters see first-hand the harsh reality of what can happen when things go wrong on our roads,” she said.
“Drive carefully, be patient and always follow the road rules.”
Hato Hone St John ambulance crews attend more than 17,000 road crashes each year and continue to witness the devastating impact on patients, whānau and communities.
General manager of ambulance operations Stuart Cockburn said preventable factors are often involved, including children not being properly restrained.
“This long weekend, we are asking everyone to do the simple things that can save lives: drive to the conditions, be patient, avoid distractions, never drive impaired and make sure every person in the vehicle is properly restrained.”
Emergency services are encouraging drivers to take responsibility for their actions behind the wheel and look out for others on the road.
Their message is simple: slow down, drive sober, avoid distractions and buckle up.