Drivers 'drift off' in central North Island

1.00pm

Central North Island drivers could well be the least attentive in the country, according to findings in a new Land Transport Safety Authority report.

Drivers' tendency to drift off and think about anything but the road was a major cause of crashes in Rotorua, Taupo and Eastern Bay of Plenty, according to the national report.

The finding is at odds with the rest of the country.

While poor observation accounts for about a third of crashes in the Central North Island, nationally speed and alcohol are bigger problems.

Bay of Plenty police road manager Inspector Kevin Taylor said it was "good luck rather than good management" that alcohol was not a major reason for Central North Island crashes. Rotorua, in particular, had "appalling" drink driving figures, he said.

There was no obvious reason why Central North Island drivers "drifted off" while driving.

"We often drive without awareness. Experienced drivers in particular tend to switch off into auto pilot and driving becomes a reflex action. But problems arise when you are tired because your reflexes are not as good," Mr Taylor said.

The report examined all crashes between 1999 and 2003.

Road crashes cost Rotorua $57 million last year, a figure based on a loss of output because of injuries along with property damage, rehabilitation costs and legal and court costs.

Ten people died on Rotorua roads last year, 38 were seriously injured and there were 231 minor casualties.

While car drivers accounted for half of the casualties, pedestrians were not safe either, accounting for 7 per cent of crash victims. Fridays and Saturdays between noon and 4pm were the most likely times crashes occur.

Generalisations about Asian drivers being a hazard were discounted in the report which showed only 3 per cent of city crashes and 8 per cent of rural crashes could be attributed to Asians.

Failing to give way at intersections was a major cause of crashes in Rotorua, accounting for more than a third. The report showed intersection crashes in Rotorua had increased in the past four years.

Speed was still a big factor in Rotorua, accounting for 14 per cent of crashes, but the number of speed-related crashes last year dropped from the previous year, going against the national trend.

Taupo and the South Waikato had a shocking 2003 on the roads with 27 people killed, 85 seriously injured and 229 minor casualties.

Road crashes cost the area $130 million and poor observation, speed and drunk driving were the main causes. Friday between noon and 4pm was the worst times for crashes.

In the Eastern Bay, 13 people died on the roads, 44 were seriously injured and 145 suffered minor injuries.

Road crashes cost the Eastern Bay about $72 million and Saturday between noon and 4pm was the worst time for crashes.

Compared with those in other areas of the region, Maori in the Eastern Bay made up a higher proportion of those involved in crashes. There was also a higher percentage of unlicensed or wrongly licensed drivers crashing in the Eastern Bay.

Like the rest of the Central North Island, poor observation was a major cause of crashes in the Eastern Bay, as were speed and alcohol.

- DAILY POST (ROTORUA)