Blues teammates push road safety message

Jerome Kaino is asking motorists to drive safely, especially around schools. Photo /Getty Images)

Blues rugby players have got behind Road Safety Week with a video asking people to drive safely.

All Blacks and Blues player Jerome Kaino posted a video to Twitter with Blues teammates Matt Duffie, Billy Guyton and Steven Luatua in support of Road Safety Week which kicks off today.

@AklTransport Road Safety Week #BeaRoadSafetyHero 👍🏾 pic.twitter.com/AiWk2dYi4J

— Jerome Kaino (@jeromekaino) May 15, 2016

In the video, Kaino asks people to drive safely, especially around schools.

This year, so far, 129 people have died on New Zealand roads - one more than this time last year. Eighty five men and 44 women have been killed. The fatalities were from 115 crashes.

National road policing operations manager Inspector Peter McKennie said Road Safety Week was a great opportunity for drivers to reflect on their driving.

"What is incredibly sad and frustrating for police is attending crashes where simple road safety rules have not been followed."

Provisional data showed about 40 per cent of people who have died on the roads this year were not wearing seat belts.

"Seat belts save lives, it's a no-brainer," Mr McKennie said.

"It's disappointing and frustrating that in 2016 we still have people not taking the extra few seconds to protect themselves by doing something as simple as buckling up, especially when everyone knows it saves lives.

"Another huge risk drivers are taking is travelling too fast for the conditions. This still remains a contributing factor in around a third of all fatal crashes."

Last year, 319 people were killed on New Zealand roads.

"Police and our road safety partners work hard to reduce death and serious injuries on our roads, but we can't do it alone," Mr McKennie said.

"So please take a moment to reflect on your own driving and ask yourself, are you doing everything in your power to reduce your road safety risk?"

This is the fifth Road Safety Week in New Zealand.