Police disappointed at Christmas road toll figures

Police disappointed at Christmas road toll figures

The number of fatalities and injuries incurred over the Christmas holiday period rose this year and Police Commissioners across Australia and New Zealand are disappointed that the some drivers are not taking responsibility for their actions on our roads.

Preliminary final figures for Australia and New Zealand for the period 23 December 2011 to 3 January 2012 recorded 68 fatalities (Australia recorded 50 fatalities and New Zealand[1][1] recorded 18 fatalities).

Holiday periods produce high volumes of traffic on Australia and New Zealand’s roads. ANZPAA CEO Jon White said that while the latest road toll figures were disheartening police would continue their efforts to drive the road toll lower.

“Overall most motorists were careful on our roads this Christmas. However, it only takes one person to be careless for a tragedy to occur. In those instances, police will do everything in their power to enforce road rules and keep people safe. The great majority of road users who do the right thing should not have to share the roads with the irresponsible few who place us all in danger,” Mr White said.

At Christmas last year, Police Commissioners launched Operation Crossroads. Operation Crossroads takes the Safe System approach to road safety. The Safe System approach is a holistic road safety method used by governments in Australia and New Zealand.

It encourages a better understanding of the interaction between the key elements of the road system: road users, vehicles, roads and roadsides, and travel speeds.

“Police have been doing their bit by focusing their efforts on apprehending drink/drug driving, speeding, traffic infringements and licence offences,” said Mr White.

ANZPAA is the agency that serves Police Commissioners in both countries.

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