NZ road deaths in 2011 at record low

National road policing manager Paula Rose. Photo / Mark Mitchell

Road deaths are set to be at a record low for a third successive month in what police are calling an "absolutely, truly remarkable" trend.

The New Zealand road toll for March stands at 21 with one day to go - nine fewer than the record low 30 fatalities recorded for the month last year, and 59 fewer than the record 80 deaths in 1986.

That follows a record low 27 fatal crashes in January and 17 in February.

There have been 66 crashes in the year to date, compared to 98 at the same point in 2010 and 104 in 2009.

None of the first three months of 2009 or 2010 had less than 30 fatalities, while 2011 is set to have three successive months below that figure.

National road policing manager Paula Rose said the reduced toll could represent a sudden "societal shift" on road safety in New Zealand.

The huge reduction could not just be attributed to high fuel prices or the recession, though those could be factors, she said.

"It is remarkable. Absolutely, truly remarkable. One I could say 'oh yeah', two is good but you could write it off, but three is amazing.

"If we look back at the road toll in past years, there has been a step change. Why can't societal shifts all of a sudden be moving along a little slowly and then have sudden change?"

Ms Rose said in 1973, there were 27.9 road deaths per 100,000 population in New Zealand.

That has dropped to about 4.2 per 100,000 in the year to date - in line with safety statistics from Australia, she said.

She praised motorists for heeding safety warnings and police and transport agencies for delivering safer roads.

"We're feeling pretty darn good. It's less families ripped apart. Less calls to people to inform them their family member has died.

"These are mothers, brothers, sisters, children and friends. This is the thing that kills ordinary, wonderful people. Any reduction has got to be a good thing."

However, she cautioned against motorists relaxing their guard in April.

It was a deadly month in both 2009 and 2010, with 45 and 42 fatalities respectively.

"It's becoming sustained. But I'll be more pleased if I see a fourth month."

There were 375 deaths on New Zealand roads last year and 385 in 2009.
Men have made up 51 of the 66 deaths so far this year, while 49 of those killed were drivers.