Auckland bucks fall in road toll

By GREGG WYCHERLEY

Road deaths have dropped by 20 compared with the same time last year, with Waikato showing the biggest improvement.

Land Transport Safety Authority (LTSA) figures showed that 277 people had died from road accidents by midnight on Monday, compared with 297 last year.

Last year's total toll was 455, compared with 651 10 years earlier in 1991.

Waikato had 19 fewer deaths on the road, but Auckland registered an increase of 23 more fatalities.

Other regions showing an increase in road deaths were Northland, up from 18 to 22, Taranaki, with one more than last year, Nelson/Marlborough, with an increase of 11, and Canterbury and Southland.

Both registered four more deaths than last year.

measures involving police, regional councils, local authorities and the Accident Compensation Corporation had been successful in drastically reducing the toll.

Road deaths in the Bay of Plenty were down from 29 at the same time last year to 19 this year.

He believed one of the biggest factors was a police crackdown on speeding, particularly on those driving at speeds only marginally over the limit.

nte LTSA regional manager Peter Kippenberger said Auckland's increase was a reflection of two particularly bad months in May and June, with 14 deaths in each month.

Although the figure was most likely a "statistical blip" caused in part by two triple fatalities in the city, he said Aucklanders should regard it as a "wake-up call".

"Fourteen fatalities in a region in a month, or 28 in two months, is a terrible indictment really."

"That's a hell of a lot of coffins."

He said many of those killed had not been wearing seat belts, and there had been a lot of "loss of control" crashes, indicating excessive speed.

Feature: Cutting the road toll

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