Police urge all motorists to be responsible on the road following two Waikato fatals

Waikato Police are urging motorists to maintain attention level while driving following two fatal road crashes overnight.

District Road Policing Manager, Inspector Leo Tooman, said the cause of each crash was still to be determined and both would be subject to investigations by the Serious Crash Unit.

"In the first crash a 19-year-old driver of a Toyota Celica lost his life after a collision with an oncoming people mover on Peacocks Rd at about 8pm.

"The cause of the crash is yet to be determined but initial indications suggest the young man's car has failed to negotiate a left hand bend and crossed sideways into the path of the other vehicle."

Mr Tooman said it appears the woman driving the other vehicle and her child being properly restrained plaid a significant part in them escaping serious injury in the T-bone crash.

"The road was damp at the time and crash investigators will be looking into what, if any, part excessive speed on the part of the Celica played as a contributing factor.

"Peacocks Rd is not a known area for crashes and last night's incident was most unusual for this area. It goes to show drivers have to be on top of their game no matter if they are on a long or short journey and be prepared for anything to happen at any time."

Emergency services were again busy picking up the pieces of further road trauma following a collision between a car and a truck on SH1 between Taupiri and Ngaruawahia about 11:05pm

"This second crash involved a northbound Mitsubishi vehicle on SH1 leaving the 70km/h area which is believed to have crossed the centre line and crashed head on into a southbound truck and trailer unit.

"The male driver of the Mitsubishi died in the crash and he is yet to have been formally identified and we anticipate background enquiries carried out today will help us confirm his identity."

With no signs of pre-impact braking on the part of the Mitsubishi Mr Tooman said establishing the cause of the crash would be the main challenge facing crash investigators.

"In both cases it is far too early to be able to confirm exactly what has happened."

"The key early lesson to be learned is everyone on the road has to be at their best, keep left, avoid fatigue, watch your speed, avoid consuming alcohol or drugs and ensure both you and your vehicle are at your best."

Last night's crashes takes the Waikato's road toll to 25 compared to 34 for the same period last year.

"Throughout the Waikato, Police have been working with road safety partners to implement the Safer Journeys programme so it is most disappointing for all involved to have two preventable crashes occur on our roads on the same night so soon after the fatal motorbike crash at Waihöu on Friday.

"Situations such as last night's are frustrating not just for the Police and our allied emergency services, but all our road safety partners particularly when it appears these were avoidable, needless tragedies. Motorists need to realise road safety is everyone's responsibility."

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