New Zealand's road toll is standing at 98, a life claimed for every day of the year so far.
The latest sobering statistic has being described as a "tragedy" by the Ministry of Transport.
At the same time last year there were 13 fewer deaths, with the road toll at 85.
The ministry's Land Transport Safety manager Brent Johnston said the grim toll could be averted by drivers heeding a number of safety measures once behind the wheel.