Third collision between cars and an animal prompts warning from Police

After the third serious crash between a car and an animal in recent weeks, Waikato Police are asking landowners to check their fences and drivers if they are driving to the conditions.

District Road Policing Manager, Inspector Freda Grace, said the call comes just hours after the latest incident that left a driver injured.

"In this collision a man driving a Subaru car has collided with a bull on Maungatautari Rd near Cambridge about 5.55am.

"Conditions at the time were dark with light drizzle. The driver suffered minor injuries in the crash and was treated by attending ambulance staff but the outcome could have been far worse."

Mrs Grace said this crash was the second this week with two people injured in a collision between a car and a horse at Arapuni about the same time on Monday.

"And on 23 June a Matamata woman was killed when her car collided with a horse, the stakes are really quite high in rural areas such as the Waikato and we're imploring landowners to check the integrity of their fences and gates.

"At the same time we also ask motorists to check their cars are up to warrant of fitness standard and their headlights are working properly. Each of the collisions outlined are still under investigation so I can't comment on if faulty lights were an issue but it makes sense to check your car as a precaution."

Mrs Grace said motorists were also reminded that it was a legal requirement that their driving be in such a manner that if something unexpected happens they can stop their car in half the length of road visible.

"If land owners and road users do their part we will all be going a long way to ensuring incidents like today's are avoided and Waikato roads are a safe place to travel."

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