Record low in sight for road toll

By SCOTT MacLEOD

This year's road toll is heading for a record low of about 430 - but December is traditionally the most lethal month.

The record, set last year, is 462.

This year's toll stood at 389, as of Friday.

Although official figures for last month have not been released, the unofficial toll is 25, despite one horror weekend when nine people were killed on the roads.

The director of the Land Transport Safety Authority, David Wright, said that if the current trend continued, there would be about 40 road deaths this month.

That would mean a record low toll for December but the challenge belonged to motorists, he said.

Last December, there were 52 deaths. The average toll for this month over the past five years is 51.

"We must stop accepting the fact that December will be a time of tragedy on our roads. This should be a month full of joy and celebration, not grief and mourning," Mr Wright said.

Police national road safety manager Steve Fitzgerald said the full fleet of 183 highway patrol cars would be in action this month.

"We'll be coming down hard on speeding, drink-driving and other unsafe behaviour," he said.

"People may think we're spoiling their Christmas by handing out fines, but better that than really having your holiday ruined by a road crash."

Both men said the key to keeping the toll low this month would be to stick to the basics - buckle up, be patient, keep the speed down and don't drive drunk.

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