There have been seven deaths on Tairāwhiti's roads so far this year according to provisional data, compared to four in 2023. Photo / James Pocock
There have been seven deaths on Tairāwhiti's roads so far this year according to provisional data, compared to four in 2023. Photo / James Pocock
Road deaths have increased compared to the previous year for Tairāwhiti but overall, crashes resulting in injuries or no injury appear to have tracked downwards over the last five years.
Data from NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi’s (NZTA) Crash Analysis System (CAS) reveals a record of crashes on Tairāwhiti roadsfrom 2014 to December 19, 2024.
Since the Gisborne Herald requested the data, there have been another two deaths on the region’s roads, bringing Tairāwhiti’s provisional road toll to seven, according to the Ministry of Transport road death statistics.
There is no clear overall trend in the road death toll over the last 10 years, but the lowest was in 2015 when one person died on Tairāwhiti’s roads.
The 2024 road toll is provisional as it includes deaths that may subsequently be excluded for reasons such as the crash being intentional or due to a medical event.
According to an NZTA disclaimer, the CAS data only covers crashes on roads, defined as any street, motorway, beach or place to which the public has access with a motor vehicle, such as carparks.
Across Tairāwhiti as of December 19, there had been 24 serious injuries and 97 minor injuries from crashes in 2024.
This brought the total provisional casualty figure to 126, or 128 accounting for the two recent fatal crashes. There appeared to be a gradual decline in overall road casualties in the last five years — from 231 in 2020 to 224 in 2021, 177 in 2022 and 176 in 2023.
The provisional figures for the total number of crashes, including crashes without injury, for Tairāwhiti in 2024 are on track for a sharper drop year-on-year.
As of December 19, the total number of crashes in the year to date was 190, compared to 421 in 2023.
NZTA said it is believed non-fatal crashes are underreported, with the level of under-reporting decreasing as severity increases.
Rua Pani, regional manager of maintenance and operations, said more cars being on the road, tired drivers and people driving on unfamiliar roads all contributed to making holiday driving stressful and risky, but there were simple things everyone could do to keep safe.
“We encourage everyone to check that their car is safe before heading off, keep your speeds down, drive sober, watch for signs of fatigue and share the driving on long trips,” Pani said.
“Always drive to the conditions, which can change quickly. Check the weather forecast before leaving home, as well as our real-time traffic updates for any incidents or closures.”
Pani said Gisborne roads were typically busy around the New Year period because of the Rhythm and Vines music festival.
“Please be patient and expect delays. It’s also important to plan ahead, realise you may be stuck in traffic for longer than usual, so be prepared, with some water, snacks and some good post-Christmas music.”
A breakdown of crashes by location over the last 10 years as of December 19 this year. Image / NZTA
Inspector Angela Hallett, Eastern District Police road policing manager, said motorcycle crashes had been more prevalent this year, while the number of fatal and serious crashes overall tended to fluctuate from year to year.
She said state highways and rural roads were the most dangerous roads due to the high speeds travelled on them.
“Further north of Gisborne on the coast the mean speed is less, there is less urgency, people are more relaxed,” Hallett said.
“The coastal road can also be windier and more hazardous and used by horse riders so be aware of other road users.”
She said significant contributing factors in crashes included impairment, such as driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol and when fatigued, distraction such as phone use, and speed.
“The higher the speed of a vehicle involved in a crash, the more likely the outcome will involve serious injury of death. Always wear your seatbelt,” she said.
“Drive to the conditions, be that the weather as well as road conditions. Watch out for loose gravel, potholes, surface flooding in heavy rain and melting surface in the heat.”
Fatigue most often caught people out after days in the sun and heat, and Hallett advised motorists to not start journeys in an exhausted state, to share driving and take regular rest breaks.
Police remind motorists to be patient, drive to the conditions, keep a safe following distance and plan their route before travel.
People should make sure their vehicle is safe, check the tyres and tyre pressure.
NZTA tips for safe driving on your summer holiday
Drive to the conditions, allow plenty of time and take regular breaks to stay alert.
Be patient when driving this summer so everyone can relax and enjoy the holidays together.
Keep a safe following distance from vehicles in front so you can stop safely.
Drive to the conditions — whether it’s the weather, the road you’re on, the time of day or the volume of traffic on the roads.
Take regular breaks to stay alert.
Allow plenty of time. You’re on holiday, there’s no need to rush.
Your vehicle must be safe to drive before you set off on your summer holiday.
Check that the Warrant of Fitness or Certificate of Fitness is up-to-date on any vehicle you plan to drive, including rentals.
New year road work restarts
January 6-24 road renewal. SH2 north between Whakarau Rd and Waihuka Rd, Puha (weather permitting). Stop/Go traffic management with 10– to 15-minute delays possible.
January 13-30 road renewal. SH2 south between Maraetaha Rd and Wharekakaho Rd, Bartletts (weather permitting). Stop/Go traffic management with 10- to 15-minute delays possible.
January 13 road resealing. SH35 between Christopher Rd and Pouawa Bridge. Stop/Go traffic management with 10– to 15-minute delays possible.
James Pocock joined the Gisborne Herald as chief reporter in 2024 after covering environmental, local government and post-cyclone issues in Hawke’s Bay. He has a keen interest in finding the bigger picture in research and making it more accessible to audiences. He lives near Gisborne. james.pocock@nzme.co.nz.
