4 January 2006

The AA is very disappointed that the official road toll for the 2005/2006 holiday period is 20.

The holiday period began at 4.00pm on Friday 23 December 2005 and ended at 6.00am this morning.

"Twenty New Zealanders died on our roads this holiday period - that's 20 too many. Christmas and New Year have been ruined for many families as a result of these tragic and needless deaths," says AA spokesperson Simon Lambourne.

"The road toll is of course only one measure, of equal concern are the hundreds of motorists injured in crashes during the holiday period, some of whom will have life long injuries."

"Drivers need to take more care and they need to remember basic road code rules."

Provisional crash report data shows the most common factors contributing to the 20 holiday period deaths were driving too fast for conditions, failing to give way or stop, alcohol, fatigue and pedestrian factors.

"While the AA is pleased the 2005 yearly road toll was 31 deaths fewer than the previous year and the lowest since 1963, the fact that 404 New Zealanders died on our roads in 2005 is not something we can be proud of."

"The AA is a member of the National Road Safety Working Group and will be working closely with government agencies to develop new initiatives to further reduce the road toll," says Mr Lambourne.

ENDS

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