Western Bay road toll nearing last year's total

White crosses line State Highway 2 near Apata. Photo / Andrew Warner

New Zealand has the highest increase in annual fatal road crashes, an international study shows - and the Western Bay contributed to that with 16 deaths on local roads last year.

The number of road fatalities increased 16.1 per cent last year compared to 2013, the worst among eight countries whose record has deteriorated in the International Road Traffic and Accident Database.

The Western Bay of Plenty road toll so far this year is at 12, nearing last year's total of 16.

New Zealand is heading for a higher toll this year with the number of deaths standing at 134 for the end of May, compared with 123 at the same time last year and 100 in 2013.

The lowest number of road fatalities for the Western Bay was six in 2013 after eight in 2012.

Transport Minister and Tauranga MP Simon Bridges said the rise was disappointing.

"What we know is those numbers aren't just numbers, they represent lives," he said.

Bay of Plenty road policing manager Inspector Kevin Taylor said the increase in fatalities was significant and not caused by a specific issue police could go out and deal with immediately.

" ... When people do things wrong or make simple mistakes they have resulted in major catastrophe."

One significant issue in the area had been head-on crashes occurring when drivers crossed the centre line. Distraction, alcohol and speed were some reasons for those crashes.

"Sadly a lot of the mistakes people have made in the Bay of Plenty this calendar year have cost lives."

Mr Taylor said road safety wasn't just a police issue but the shared responsibility of every road user.

Tauranga and Western Bay of Plenty Travel Safe programme leader Karen Smith said this year's road toll had been "disappointing."

"Road safety is everybody's responsibility," said Mrs Smith.

"Some of the crashes that we've had around here lately, a lot of them have been preventable."

Distractions while driving is one of the main factors that contribute to the number of crashes, Mrs Smith said.