New Zealand's most dangerous roads

By STUART DYE, Transport Reporter


A central stretch of the Northwestern Motorway is one of the country's most dangerous accident black spots.

In a list of danger zones released by the Land Transport Safety Authority, the stretch of state highway from Parnell to Western Springs has claimed two lives and seen 20 serious crashes over five years.

Topping the list in terms of fatalities and bad crashes is a 10km stretch of road at New Plymouth. Six people died and there were 24 serious accidents between 1997 and 2001 along State Highway 3 from Bell Block to SH45.

The Hobsonville to Northwestern Motorway, along SH18 in Waitakere, is also a black spot, with 14 serious crashes and four deaths over the period.

The LTSA uses different criteria to measure how dangerous a road is, including deaths, crashes and crashes per kilometre.

Other highways around the country that rate badly include Cobham Drive to SH26 in Hamilton, the road between Annesbrooke and Richmond in Nelson and the SH1 motorway tunnel to the Basin Reserve in Wellington.

With the road toll facing its highest figure since 2000, the Automobile Association is warning holidaymakers to be alert at danger spots.

As tens of thousands head away, drivers should take special care on the treacherous stretches either side of Auckland.

The AA records the region's most dangerous as:

* Hatfields Beach and the stretch from Warkworth to Wellsford heading north.

* Mangatawhiri to Maramarua to the Bay of Plenty and Coromandel.

* Mercer to Meremere.

Over the past five years there have been an average of 20 deaths and 385 injuries from road crashes over the Christmas period.

The seasonal increase is caused by more traffic, people on unfamiliar roads, stress of long-distance journeys and drinking and driving.

LTSA spokesman Andy Knackstedt said some simple measures could help avoid accidents.

"Planning ahead, packing and preparing properly and allowing plenty of time for trips can help ensure safety on the road."

Full-screen graphic of 10 worst crash sites