Media statement | 3 January 2007

Holiday road toll lowest in 40 years

Provisional figures show the 2006/07 Christmas-New Year holiday period has seen the fewest road deaths in New Zealand in 40 years, with nine deaths from six fatal crashes. Twenty-two people were killed on the roads in the 2005/06 holiday period.

While Land Transport NZ is encouraged by the result, which follows the lowest annual road toll in 46 years for 2006, spokesman Andy Knackstedt says the care and patience shown by most drivers over the holidays must continue year-round if the positive trend is to continue.

The 2006/07 holiday period officially began at 4pm on December 22, and ended at 6am today (January 3). The nine deaths over the 2006/07 holiday period included six drivers and three passengers.

Eight of the nine deaths occurred on the open road - five in single vehicle crashes in which a driver lost control of the vehicle or ran off the roadway, and three in head on collisions. One person was killed in an intersection collision. Two of those killed were not restrained at the time of the crash.

The lowest holiday period road toll on record occurred during 1959/60 when eight deaths were recorded.

For more information:

Andy Knackstedt
Media Manager, Safety
Land Transport New Zealand
0212 763 222

or

New Zealand Police
Public Affairs Pager
026 101 082

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