Drive to the conditions this winter

Drive to the conditions this winter

5 June 2009

The Ministry of Transport is urging people to take care on the roads this weekend and over the winter months.

“We have just had a tragic Queen’s Birthday weekend, with nine people killed on our roads, the worst result in 13 years. We urge motorists to take care, particularly over the winter months when driving conditions are often bad,” said David Crawford, General Manager, Land Transport Environment and Safety.

“It is important to adjust driving speeds to the conditions. Preliminary reports show that driving too fast for the conditions was a factor in several of the fatal crashes over the weekend,” said Mr Crawford.

The road toll for the year to date is 190 deaths, 17 more than this time last year.

“This is a disturbing trend. We all have a responsibility for road safety.”

The Ministry will soon be seeking the public’s views on how we can improve New Zealand’s road safety as part of the development of a road safety strategy through to 2020.

“I hope people will use this opportunity to have their say,” said Mr Crawford.

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