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An experienced car dealer was killed test-driving a hybrid car in what is believed to be the first fatal crash involving an environmentally-friendly vehicle, as records show New Zealand is on track for the lowest road toll in nearly 50 years.
No official statistics exist for hybrid crash statistics but colleagues of the dead man, John Shaw, are shocked speed is being blamed for the 51-year-old Aucklander's death.
Shaw died a week ago behind the wheel of a Toyota Prius after hitting gravel near Matamata, crossing the road and ploughing into a tree.
Shaw, a father of two adult children living in Britain, died at the scene.
Waikato police spokesman Andrew McAlley said "excessive speed and road works" were factors in the accident but the Serious Crash Unit was several weeks away from completing an investigation.
But work colleagues of Shaw - who worked at vehicle importer and wholesaler Milano International (NZ) Ltd for seven years - are struggling to accept that the police believe "excessive speed" contributed to Shaw's death.
"I can't imagine it, because he's a good driver," friend Tarun Gaur said.
"This car, a Toyota hybrid car, doesn't go really fast. It's like a petrol economical car. It doesn't drive fast.
"If he was driving a sports car then I could understand."
Gaur took the call from police to identify the car 90 minutes after Shaw left Auckland to visit car dealerships in the Waikato and the Bay of Plenty.
"It's difficult without him," Gaur said. "I still can't believe it."
Another workmate, Tracey Smith, was devastated to learn of Shaw's death. He was a "neat guy" who was experienced with cars, Smith said.
The Ministry of Transport and Land Transport New Zealand have no figures of how many hybrid vehicles have been involved in fatal crashes.
However, John Pollard of the Clean Green Car Company had never heard of a fatal crash in New Zealand involving a hybrid.
Hybrids have a five-star fuel consumption rating but are not slower than normal 2.4L cars.
"A tree or power pole are the worst things you can hit," Pollard said. "A new Volvo or Toyota Camry would be in the same position."
The death of Shaw is the latest blip on this year's fatal road toll.
Currently standing at 44, it is on track to be the lowest number of road deaths since 1961. "In 2006, New Zealand recorded its lowest road toll in 46 years [since 1961] with 393 deaths. Last year, the toll rose slightly to 423," a Ministry of Transport spokeswoman said.
"The lower road toll can be put down to a number of factors, including higher petrol prices and an economic downturn.
"International evidence shows economic activity can have an effect on the toll, with a direct correlation between the amount of trips and crash numbers.
"Education campaigns, road enforcement, engineering and changing consumer behaviour may also contribute to the current low," she said.
