Hon Harry Duynhoven
Minister for Transport Safety

21 October 2008 Media Statement

No new policies from National on road safety

Transport Safety Minister Harry Duynhoven says the National Party's promise to ensure road safety policing concentrates on preventing accidents by focusing on those drivers and areas most at risk, simply reflects what is already happening.

“The fear I have is that, because National is promising all new front-line police recruits will be sent to South Auckland, the current efforts to reduce the road toll will be sadly affected because there won’t be the road policing staff to do the job.

“A resource allocation model has been developed, based on risk, and provides an indication of where Police should deploy staff for the greatest benefit” said the Minister today.

“While the National Party under the then Police Minister Clem Simich and Transport Minister Maurice Williamson, used the number of tickets issued as a performance measure, this Labour led government has ensured we have moved on from a quota based system.

“The road toll must come down - and has been progressively doing so under this government. It is not for politicians to dictate to Police where their resources should go - this is an operational matter for the Police to determine,” Harry Duynhoven said.

ENDS

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