Govt wants toll cut to 300 by 2010

The Government aims to cut the road toll to 300 by 2010.

Transport Minister Annette King said a consultation project called See You There - Safe As, designed to reduce the toll, would begin in July.

"Further reductions in the road toll are very achievable and will have huge positive impacts on the health and happiness of all New Zealanders," Ms King said.

"Everyone will be invited to offer their ideas through a series of meetings around the country. I hope all sections of the community will participate, especially young people."

Ms King said the law could be a blunt instrument and couldn't effectively take care of every road situation.

"The key to further reducing the road toll is for individuals to exercise good judgment in the millions of instant decisions they need to make when driving, walking and cycling."

Road crashes were the leading cause of death to children - 45 per cent of deaths in the 0 to 14 year age group, she said. They were also the leading cause of disability for people aged 15 to 44.

She said it was important to understand better the attitudes and concerns of young people. In 2005, 404 people died on the roads, the lowest toll for 42 years.