December toll hits 39 as head-on crash kills two

A courier driver was killed in a head-on collision near Hamilton yesterday morning, the third to die on North Island roads in the past fortnight.

The 48-year-old female Post Haste worker was killed instantly when a southbound car crossed the centreline on State Highway 1 just south of Hamilton, colliding with her van about 11.20am.

The 40-year-old male driver of the car, who police believe was not wearing a seatbelt, was also killed.

Police said no one else was injured in the crash, which closed the highway from Newell Rd to Airport Rd for about an hour and a half.

It is understood the woman had worked for Post Haste for about two years and was preparing to celebrate Christmas with a large extended family.

Post Haste is a subsidiary of Freightways and managing director Dean Bracewell said support was in place for staff affected by the crash.

"It's just an absolute tragedy and our thoughts are with the family and friends," he said.

Inspector Leo Tooman, the Waikato police traffic manager, said December had always been bad for road deaths but this month had been particularly tragic.

Yesterday's crash takes the monthly toll to 39 and Mr Tooman called for tolerance from drivers.

"People are racing round the cities trying to get everything done at the last minute," he said.

"Then they hit the open road away from an environment that constrains their speed and they just sort of let it go and I'm afraid it's a recipe for disaster."

On Monday last week, New Zealand Post was about to tell its staff of an accident which killed delivery driver Peter Harland when the company learned CourierPost driver Colleen Jackson had just died in another car accident.

Mr Harland, a 53-year-old father of four, was driving through Mangaweka, south of Taihape, when it is believed a car carrying two Singapore tourists crossed the centreline and collided with his truck.

Mrs Jackson, 48, was killed on State Highway 1 near Tirau when a northbound car collided with her stationwagon head-on.

The 48-year-old driver of the car, Michael Bhaskaran, was also killed in the crash.

A bad month gets worse

December road toll This year: 39 (by yesterday). Last year: 31 (for the whole month)

Five safety reminders

1. Slow down and stay within the speed limit.

2. Stay on your own side of the road and don't overtake unless it's absolutely necessary.

3. Don't drink and drive.

4. If travelling slowly or towing something, pull over when it is safe.

5. Wear a seatbelt and make sure all passengers are restrained correctly.