Road toll heading for record low

By SCOTT MacLEOD

This year's road toll promises to be the lowest on record.

Last month's toll of 28 was the lightest for September since records began in 1965.

Figures show that 328 people died in the nine months to September 30, 17 fewer than at the same time last year.

The road toll last year went on to hit 462, the country's lowest yet.

This year's good result is mostly due to fewer deaths in the period from June to last month, when 115 people were killed.

If that death rate were to continue for a year, the annual road toll would be just 345.

If the death rate for the past nine months continues this year, the toll will be 437.

Land Transport Safety Authority spokesman Andy Knackstedt said the toll to the end of last month was the lowest for any four-month period.

It seemed to be falling because of police highway patrols and people driving slower.

LTSA director David Wright said speed and alcohol were linked with nearly half of last month's 13 deaths.

Police reports said nine of the victims were not wearing seatbelts and at least four would have lived had they buckled up.

The road toll has been dropping since 1973, when it peaked at 843 deaths.

Police and road safety groups have pointed at tougher laws, highway patrols, advertising, booze buses, safer cars and speed cameras as factors behind the decline.

Police and the LTSA are aiming for a road toll of 420 this year, as part of a 10-year plan to nearly halve the number of road deaths.

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