With 27 people killed in Northland road crashes in 2024 and six deaths already in 2025, Northland Road Safety Trust Manager Ashley Johnston is calling on motorists to drive safer.

“It’s about staying focused on what is ahead you and around you when driving because that can be the difference between life and death,” says Johnston.

That is why the theme of the Road Safety Week 2025 (12-18 May) is being a road safety hero by recognising everyone who help to make our roads safer and openly discussing how everyone can play a part in making journeys safer in Kaipara, Whangārei and Far North districts.

“Any road death is one too many and unfortunately too many people are being killed and seriously injured on Northland roads for several reasons that are avoidable. We say it all the time but it comes down to driving to the conditions - especially with winter on the horizon – not speeding, wearing seatbelts, ensuring children are in restraints.

“Too many motorists on Northland roads are still driving distracted or under the influence of drugs and alcohol. The impact of road crashes can last a lifetime and destroy families.”

Northland Road Policing Manager Inspector Anne-Marie Fitchett says Northland Police and partners are working hard to reduce the number of deaths on our roads. Increased enforcement efforts to specifically reduce speeding and impaired driving have seen an improvement in driving behaviours but more improvement is needed.

“We’ve had eight people die on our roads this year compared with 18 at this time last year. While that is a vast improvement, every one of those people had families and people that cared for them who are now grieving. The hurt to Northland families following crashes is huge and often lasts a lifetime,” says Fitchett.

Making good driving decisions relies on a clear head, considering the impact of our driving on others, and complying with traffic laws, she says.

“In 2024, 22% of our deaths and serious injuries involved alcohol. Similarly, speed contributed to 33% of deaths and serious injuries on Northland roads in 2024, while 24% of those killed or seriously injured in light vehicles in Northland weren’t wearing a seatbelt. All these figures were the highest in the country, so we still have a lot of changes to make.

“If we choose not to wear a seatbelt, we will have minimal protection in a crash (however it is caused). If we drive while impaired, we can’t possibly hope to react in the way we need to. And if we speed, there is less time to react. Let’s learn these lessons now rather than the devastating hard way. And let’s keep up the reduction of trauma and harm by working together to keep reducing our road toll,” says Fitchett.

To acknowledge lives lost on Northland roads, Johnston is inviting locals to register and take part in the 2025 Road Safety Hero fun relay/walk around the Hātea Loop in Whangārei on Friday, May 16.

The event kicks off at 1pm at Pūtahi Park, in the Town Basin (near the Canopy Bridge) and is a chance for the community to come together and learn about road safety in a whanau friendly event.

“It is a day full of fun, awareness, and a powerful message! Whether you're a speedster or a casual stroller, we want people to show their support for road safety awareness and honour the heroes who make our roads safer every day. People can dress like a Road Safety Hero with reflectors, capes and any other creativity,” says Johnston.

“Bring your friends, whānau, coworkers because there’ll be trophies for fastest around the loop, most creative team around the loop and spot prizes for best dressed heroes. Let’s make this year’s relay/walk the best one yet. Be a hero — walk the talk for road safety!”

Road Safety Hero Week is supported by Northland Road Safety Trust, Plunket, NZ Police, Fire and Emergency NZ, Hato Hone St John, Northern Rescue Helicopters, NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Northland Regional Council, Whangārei District Council and Auckland Transport’s child restraint experts.

Hundreds of people took part last year and numerous local businesses and schools are lined up to be part of the 2025 Road Safety Hero celebration by talking part in the relay or just walking the Loop.

Johnston says it Road Safety Week is also about recognising the need to support people after a crash - from emergency services to health professionals, transport engineers to school crossing patrols, farmers, road workers community campaigners and more.

“It’s important people increasingly understand how they can take responsibility for their own safety and the safety of others by being courteous to others and making sensible, safe decisions like not being distracted by phones while driving and not driving while tired and fatigued.

“We can all become road safety heroes whether we are walking, riding or driving by individually contributing to safety on our roads in our own way.”

And that is why Ashley and her team will join forces with Northland Road Policing and visit five primary schools – Morningside, St Francis Xaviour, Horahora, Tikipunga and Onerahi - from May 12 to 16 to raise awareness of roadside and pedestrian safety during the morning school drop-off time.

Having been a front-line Police Officer, Johnston knows only too well the heartache from road crashes.

Another key part of Road Safety Week 2025 are three interactive, educational child restraint workshops around Whangārei. The first will be in Bunnings carpark at Raumanga from 3pm-6pm on Tuesday, May 13, followed by Onerahi Police Station from 3pm to 6pm on Wednesday, May 14 and outside Otangarei Marae from 3pm-6pm on Thursday, May 15.

Qualified technicians will be on hand to answer questions and ensure car sets are installed correctly. Workshop dates and locations will be listed at https://www.facebook.com/nrsnrcnz

There will be giveaways for the kids and former Police Recruitment Officer Doug Te Puni will be at all the restraint checks with his Mr Whippy van, along with the Road Safety Hero relay, where there will be a sausage sizzle and some more giveaways.

To register for 2025 Road Safety Heroes relay go to https://forms.office.com/r/ZSDKvVdLjN and to find out more about Road Safety Week 2025 (including downloading educational packs), check out https://www.roadsafetyweek.org.nz/

Note:

In 2024 there were 27 deaths and 153 serious injuries from road crashes on Northland roads.

The ages of victims ranged from 0 – 86 years old.

There was a social cost of $561.7 million associated with Northland crashes.

11 died and 49 were seriously injured in crashes where inappropriate speed contributed to the crash

9 died and 26 were seriously injured in crashed where drugs were present

6 died and 34 were seriously injured in crashes where alcohol impairment above the limit contributed to the crash

6 died and 23 were seriously injured when not wearing a seatbelt in light vehicles.

20 died and 80 were seriously injured in single vehicle crashes.

20 died and 105 were seriously injured in head-on or run-off road crashes.

13 died and 61 were seriously injured on a state highway.

22 died and 104 were seriously injured on roads in areas defined as rural

3 deaths and 27 seriously injured involved a motorcycle or moped

1 died and 9 were seriously injured in crashes involving a truck.

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