The latest road toll statistics indicate that New Zealand’s roads are getting safer. A recent report from the Ministry of Transport states for the twelve months prior to the end of June 2011, the road death toll came to 315, the lowest ever recorded for a twelve-month period. The annual road death for every 100,000 of the population now stands at nine, as opposed to 13 several years ago.
In the past 20 years, New Zealand’s road death numbers have dropped by 59 percent and serious injuries caused by road accidents have decreased by 17 percent. This downward trend comes despite the country’s vehicle fleet increasing by over 50 percent and a swelling population.
There are a number of factors that have contributed to the improving figures including tougher safety standards for vehicles and advances in car safety technology, barrier separations on various ‘high risk’ sections of State highway and improvements in road policing. The introduction of new legislation including prohibiting the use of handheld phones whilst driving and increasing the driving age from 15 is also having a positive impact on the nation’s road safety. Further lengths are also being introduced to stop illegal street racing and driving under the influence of drugs.
In an effort to continue the declining road death toll, the Ministry of Transport has directed transport officials to produce quarterly reports on the roads. Data from these reports will be used to monitor the progress of the governments Safer Journeys road safety strategy.
Other planned action to be taken includes establishing a zero alcohol limit for young drivers and repeat drink drivers, improvements in the motorcycle licensing program and continuing to work on improving the condition of the nation’s road network.
Along with government initiatives, drivers also have a responsibility to help prevent road accidents. Abiding by road laws and driving responsibly are vital. Keeping vehicles in good condition is also essential when it comes to road safety. Too often regular maintenance and simple repairs such as wheel alignment, windscreen repair and wearing brakes are neglected which can lead to vehicles being impaired, unsafe and contribute to road accidents.
When compared on an international scale, New Zealand’s road toll is one of the lowest in the world and while it has improved greatly over the last 20 years, there were still 375 deaths on New Zealand roads in 2010. There is still more to be done before New Zealand can claim to have a road system increasingly free of death and serious injury, but with continued government and public effort this looks achievable.
Dave MacKinder writes for a digital marketing agency. This article has been commissioned by a client of said agency. This article is not designed to promote, but should be considered professional content.
