Policeman's plea on road deaths: Enough is enough

Two people died and two - including a baby - were injured when these cars were involved in crash near Mangatawhiri yesterday. Picture / Greg Bowker

"We have had more than enough deaths. Enough is enough. Please drive safely."

That is the plea from top road policeman Inspector John Kelly after devastating road accidents claimed 37 lives in the first 21 days of December. Last December the toll was 31.

Ten people have died in the past five days alone. Four people - one a 5-year-old girl who spent a week in intensive care after she was hit by a four-wheel-drive vehicle - died yesterday.

Mr Kelly said enough people had been devastated by the loss or serious injury of loved ones in the week before Christmas.

"That's just a devastation when you think of the consequences for those families of those people - for the workmates, the schools and the friends," he said.

"Enough is enough. Let's bring some sanity back into this."

Seven adults and three children - including a 2-week-old baby - have died on the roads since last Friday. At least 14 others have been seriously injured in accidents.

At least four of the victims were pedestrians or cyclists.

Mr Kelly said many of the deaths were frustrating because lives could have been saved if basic safety messages, such as wearing seatbelts, had been followed.

"Drive according to the conditions, wear seatbelts and don't drive when you are tired."

The deaths of two children who dashed in front of cars were a reminder that anything could happen on the road, even when motorists did everything correctly.

"The two little kids in Auckland are just tragedies because my understanding was that the drivers were doing nothing wrong, just driving along the road and the kids did what kids do - run out on the road."

Mr Kelly said police would be on the roads in force for the holiday period, which officially starts on Christmas Eve.

They would be targeting speeding, drunk and dangerous drivers and unrestrained passengers.

They would also be encouraging drivers to take responsibility.

Land Transport spokesman Andy Knackstedt said the 10 deaths in the past five days were a sad reminder of what could happen on the roads when things went wrong.

Automobile Association director of public affairs George Fairbairn said motorists needed to start remembering the basics, especially when it was wet and when lots of people were leaving town.

Inspector Kelly's five road safety reminders

1. Slow down and stay within the speed limit

2. Stay on your own side of the road and don't overtake unless it's "absolutely necessary"

3. Don't drink and drive

4. If you are travelling slowly or towing something pull over when it's safe

5. Wear a seatbelt and make sure all passengers including children are restrained correctly