Bay of Plenty road toll soars to 28 deaths, many crashes result of impaired, distracted driving

Bay of Plenty police drink-driving checkpoint. Photo / NZME

The Bay of Plenty has the worst road toll in the country - and impaired and distracted drivers are blamed for much of the carnage.

In total, 28 people have died on the region's roads so far this year - the highest number of deaths for any police district in the country, ahead of Waikato's 23 fatalities and Canterbury's 22.

Between January and March this year [the latest police road policing data] 271 drivers were caught drink-driving on Western Bay roads and one for drug-impaired driving.

Speeding infringements were also handed out to 9370 drivers in the district during the same three-month period, despite police continuing to ramp up enforcement efforts.

Another 98 were pinged for illegally using their cellphones and each incurred a $150 infringement and 20 demerit points, and 70 were ticketed for not wearing a seatbelt.

In 2020, drivers were caught drink driving on Tauranga and Western Bay of Plenty roads including 64 aged under 20 and another 17 for drug-impaired driving.

A Bay of Plenty police district spokeswoman said police urged all road users to heed the road rules and take extreme care on our roads.

"Drive to the conditions, wear your seatbelt, don't drive tired or after drinking or taking drugs, and put your cellphone away," she said

"There is more work to be done to make our Bay of Plenty roads safe.

"This work isn't solely the responsibility of the police and ultimately we need everyone in our community to make the right decision and not drive while impaired.

The police spokeswoman said a large number of road deaths in the Bay of Plenty this year were the result of impaired or distracted driving.

"We ask the community to plan ahead before they having their first drink and know how you plan to get home safely - whether it be a taxi, sober driver or even staying the night if you're at friends or family.

"We encourage the public to report any unsafe or suspicious driving behaviour immediately by phoning 111.

Hanmer Clinic clinical director Jill Knowler. Photo / File

Hanmer Clinic's clinical director Jill Knowler said their addiction services were flooded with calls for help, many resulting from alcohol and/or drug-related crash prosecutions.

"We're definitely seeing lots more people seeking an intervention to address their alcohol problems, many after they have been caught drink-driving.

"We have also had an increase in those seeking help for their P-addiction - some after being caught drug-driving and others have self-referred to our service.

"While we are very busy, it's a good thing. If the person can't drive they often can't work and support their family, which is a huge problem and another stressor for them."

"While Hanmer Clinic has a waitlist, we don't turn anyone away if they put their hand up to seek our help," she said.

AA Bay of Plenty District Council's chairwoman and national convenor Stacey Spall.

Stacey Spall, the AA Bay of Plenty District Council chairwoman and national convenor, said
she was extremely disappointed by the region's road toll.

"Unfortunately for the Bay of Plenty, we have had a number of multiple victims' crashes this year which has contributed to this increase.

"But having said that, I am really concerned about the high number of impaired driver crashes and driver distraction crashes."

Spall said driving impaired by alcohol or drugs was a hot topic for the AA and there was a real push to try and strengthen the police's roadside impairment testing regime.

"Overwhelmingly we also need to ensure we have safer roads to drive on and use, as the police cannot be everywhere across the district.

"At the same time, we need people to take responsibility and do the right things."

"We continue to see drivers using their cellphones and because of the geographic nature of our region, people tend to drive long distances often without a break.

"All these factors, including speeding, contributes to our high road toll.

"We know from research and a driver simulator study at the University of Waikato that the best deterrent for speeding is a police officer parked up on the side of the road."

Spall also said the drug and alcohol courts in some districts were paying dividends in changing many drink drivers' behaviour and so were alcohol interlocks instilled in cars.

"The AA is a strong supporter of these measures being utilised far more widely.

"Our research is that interlocks in cars have not only stopped many drivers from driving after drinking but potentially has also saved many lives ."

According to the latest ACC data released to the NZ Herald, a staggering amount of taxpayer money is spent each year resulting from drink-driving crashes.

Every time someone is injured or killed in a drink-driving crash, the estimated average lifetime costs to the NZ taxpayer is more than $117,000 for each claimant.

The costs cover compensation for loss of income, medical treatment and rehabilitation.
and payments to the surviving spouse and children, which include funeral costs.

The funding for these payments comes from motor vehicle levies such as registrations and petrol tax and the levies are set depending on the number of alcohol-related crashes.

ACC projected payout for claimants for lifetime costs resulting from alcohol-related road crashes in the five years to 2020 totalled $1.16 billion nationwide.

Nationwide 185 people have died after road crashes this year.