Road safety report reveals worst times for crashes

Sunday drivers have a reputation for travelling slow but it's Tuesday's drivers who are the safest in the Western Bay.
A Road Safety Issues report looked at crashes on local roads from 2005 to 2009 and concluded Tuesday was the day of the fewest crashes, while Saturday had the most.
May was dubbed the worst month for crashes while January had the least.
Western Bay of Plenty head of road policing Senior Sergeant Ian Campion said May was likely the worst month because of the change in weather conditions.
"Saturday is probably listed because people tend to be more relaxed and are more inclined to drink than on a Tuesday.
"But it's not something you can put a concrete answer to," he said.
NZTA senior communications adviser Philippa Ross-James said there was no apparent reason for why certain days or months had more crashes than others.
"It's a bit random," Ms Ross-James said.
"Some years it changes, there's no particular reason why that we can think of."
In 2007, the worst day was Friday and the best day Sunday. The worst month was March and the best was January.
The year before the worst day was Saturday while Sunday was again the best. March was the best that year, while June was the worst.
Of the crashes from 2005 to 2009, 19 per cent were at intersections and 40 per cent occurred at night.
The report listed alcohol and wet roads as road safety issues for the Western Bay of Plenty, while national priorities were speed, alcohol and drugs, young drivers and motorcyclists.
In the Western Bay, drivers aged 15 to 19 were involved in 30per cent of injury crashes.
The social cost of crashes in 2009 was estimated at $30 million.