Blood-alcohol tested after fatal crash

The driver of a car which crashed into a power pole and tree in Hamilton today, killing a passenger, was on a restricted licence and may have been drinking, say police.

An 18-year-old passenger was thrown from the car and killed when the driver apparently lost control in Heaphy Terrace shortly after 1am today.

Police said it appeared to be another case where alcohol and speed was involved.

The driver's blood-alcohol level was being tested.

Also a serious concern for police was that while the number of crashes in Waikato had reduced by 60 this year, the number of people killed on the province's roads had not come down.

Police spokesman, Andrew McAlley said the driver received minor to moderate injuries. The name of the dead passenger would probably be released tomorrow or Monday.

He said the driver should not have been driving on a restricted licence at 1am.

"Everywhere in the country has experienced an all-time low in the road toll but in Waikato it is nearly twice the road toll of any other district in New Zealand.

"We have had a massive reduction in the number of crashes but that is not reflected in the number of fatalities," Mr McAlley said.

"We have got a heightened presence on the roads and have brought the number of crashes down but we are not seeing the rewards for it."

He said so far this year 23 people had died on Waikato roads, the same number as last year.

He said a large number of fatal crashes were caused by loss of control when passing or cornering.

"Combined that with the lack of driving experience and it is a clear indicator we are driving beyond our abilities," he said

- NZPA