Community Problems Lead to Deaths on Roads
Le’aufa’amulia
Asenati
Lole-Taylor
Associate
Spokesperson for Law and Order
May 8, 2014
Community Problems Lead to Deaths on Roads
New Zealand First says the Government is not doing enough to sell the message that attitudes must change in order to reduce the road toll.
“It’s no surprise that the high death toll is related to social problems and people failing to take responsibility,” says Associate Spokesperson for Law and Order Le’aufa’amulia Asenati Lole-Taylor.
“The current road toll is 102 and it could rise past 300 by the end of 2014.
"Police report that more than a third of all road deaths so far this year involved an alcohol-affected driver.
“But also many New Zealanders have a bad attitude to drinking and driving, speed and not wearing seatbelts.
“The Government should explain why the high cost of getting a New Zealand driver’s licence has not translated into safer drivers on our roads.
“Police expressed frustration over the high number of unnecessary road deaths despite their best effort to make roads and communities safer.
“The Government can support the police in their job by providing them with adequate resources.
“Police have acknowledged that this is a community-based issue and have called on all Kiwis to do their part, whether as drivers, mates or family. The Government must do its part, as well.
“More should be done to address the core issues of drug and alcohol abuse which lead to many intoxicated drivers behind the wheel.
“These are not just road accidents – they are community accidents – because everyone is affected. That’s why the Government has a responsibility to act,” says Mrs Lole-Taylor.
ENDS