January road toll lowest in 40 years

The number of people killed in car accidents last month looks set to be the lowest January total in 40 years despite six deaths at the weekend.

Last night the road toll for January stood at 27 compared with 38 for the month last year and 36 in January 2003.

Land Transport NZ figures show the previous low was in January 2000 when 28 people were killed. The worst January on record was in 1987 when 62 people died on the roads.

But police and the Automobile Association are warning motorists not to become complacent, particularly as roads become busier with children returning to school.

Among those killed at the weekend were Ian John Campbell, 54, of Kapiti Coast, who died when his car ran off the road and hit a fence near Paraparaumu on Sunday night.

John Wiremu Mathews, 25, of Hamilton, died after his car and a truck collided at the Five Crossroads roundabout in Hamilton. Police believe he was not wearing a seat belt.

Ariana Josephine Tawhai, 2, of Flaxmere, died in a Hastings paddock after becoming caught between a car and trailer as it reversed.

Motorists travelling back to Auckland after anniversary weekend faced the usual congestion on State Highway 2 near Maramarua. Traffic was forced to a halt but no serious accidents were reported.

Yesterday Inspector John Kelly, acting national road policing manager, said it was disappointing to hear once again that people were not wearing seat belts - but he said most New Zealanders did belt up, seldom exceeded the speed limit and did not drink to excess then drive.

"The people who drink and drive, who don't wear seat belts and who speed all come from the same population," he said.

"It's people on the margins putting other people at risk."

Despite the latest spate of deaths Mr Kelly said the January road toll figures were encouraging.

"I think, I hope, we have turned a corner. The road toll is still unacceptably high but we believe we are on the right track. The clear majority of the population are doing the right thing."

As the school year resumed he asked that parents help children work out the safest route to school and remind them of the need for care on the roads, especially if they were walking or cycling.

Drivers would also need to be vigilant. "Children are spontaneous. If they feel the urge to cross the road they will cross the road. We spend a lot of time teaching them good habits but it doesn't always stick."

Automobile Association spokesman George Fairbairn said drivers would have to be "more courteous and patient" with the additional school traffic on the roads.