Easter miracle on our roads

If you were inclined to believe in Easter miracles - and what better time for one to occur - then you would almost have to ascribe that description to this long holiday weekend.

If for nothing else than the mere fact that we registered a zero road toll for the Easter period. That is indeed remarkable, given last year five people died on our roads.

Things were looking increrasingly positive that no one would die on our roads as the holiday weekend progressed.

On a local level, there had been few incidents to keep authorities on their toes, although at least one person was listed as serious after a crash on State Highway 49 between Ohakune and Waiouru.

That no one died as a result of a weekend smash is really something to celebrate.

But perhaps as we set about busily patting ourselves on the back for a job well done, we should pause and reflect on why this was so. What set this year apart from previous ones in securing a low road toll?

Surely the message from officials hasn't changed: don't drink and drive, slow down, plan ahead, ensure you are rested. Like a scratched record, these same points have been repeated ad nauseam over recent years - sometimes quite graphically - to seemingly little effect, although the road toll has been declining.

This latest weekend has been notable when you consider that in 1971, 26 people died on our roads and the lowest toll in recent years is three, registered twice in recent years.

Why the difference this year? Is the message getting through? Or did the weather conditions play a part?

Certainly the bulk of the country basked in glorious sunshine, making for pretty good driving conditions. Cynics might even suggest it was luck.

Whatever theory you favour, the results of a local police operation at Sanson are worth celebrating. Admittedly it was early in the weekend, but still finding not one driver out of close to 850 over the limit is quite something.

Maybe, just maybe, people are starting to get the hint and all the factors listed above, combined with increased police presence and lower speed tolerance, are having the desired effect.

One holiday weekend is too little to claim success but, if it can be sustained, it will be hard to decide where to apportion credit, a succession of public campaigns, heightened individual responsibility or some other factor.

Congratulations to the motorists who made an effort to be courteous and considerate, and well done to the authorities on the great work undertaken to improve road and driver safety.

We must hope that this is but the beginning of a new trend. Long may it continue.

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