11:00 2-01-2008 Canterbury
Press Release on behalf of S/Sgt PULLEN
Canterbury District Road Policing

NZ Police: Canterbury Road Toll for 2007 - 55 dead.

55 people died on Canterbury Roads during 2007. Of those, 20 people died who were not or were probably not wearing their seatbelts. 15 of those would have survived the crash had they been wearing their seatbelt. The highest road toll was in 1999 when 57 people died on Canterbury Roads. Of those who died, 20 were female.

"Alcohol, speed and failing to wear a seatbelt are the all too common causes of deaths and injuries on our roads" says Acting Canterbury Road Policing Manager Trevor Pullen. 'One of the simplest things that one can do as a driver to save your own life and that of your passengers is to wear your seatbelt correctly in the prescribed manner and ensure every passenger does the same' he said.

Police will be very active this year preventing deaths and injuries on our roads. Police will be strictly enforcing the speed limits, ensuring drivers are sober and that all drivers and passengers are wearing their seatbelts.
'Its not rocket science. Don't drink and drive, wear your seatbelt and keep to the speed limit. Could it be more simpler? ' he says.

BREAKDOWN OF DEATHS:

Ages

12 were 10-19 yrs
10 were 20-29yrs
12 were 30-39yrs
3 were 40-49yrs
6 were 70-79yrs
1 was 60-69yrs
6 were 70-79yrs
3 were 80-89yrs
2 were 90-99yrs

The deaths can have several contributing causes. Note that these figures are NOT crashes but causes of deaths ie some had 2 or 3 causes all contributing to the death such as alcohol, not wearing seatbelt and speeding.

Alcohol - 21
Inattention - 18
Speed too fast for conditions - 15
Wrong side of the road - 2
Tourists - 5
Inexperience/wrong licence - 6
Fatigue - 3
Cellphone use - 2
Drugs - 1

No liability is assumed by New Zealand Police for any losses suffered directly or indirectly by any person relying on the information contained in this message.

ENDS

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