Eight people have died on New Zealand roads since Christmas Day.
Eight people have died on New Zealand roads since Christmas Day.
Fasten your seatbelt, plan ahead, keep your eyes on the road, reduce your speed, drive to the conditions, and do not drive if you're tired, drunk, or on drugs.
These are the simple messages being repeated to New Zealand motorists to keep themselves and others safe on the road thissummer.
The Christmas-New Year's holiday road toll has skyrocketed to eight - double the 2019/2020 holiday.
Two people have been killed each day since Christmas Day, and holiday traffic will build again in the lead-up to New Year's Eve tomorrow.
Terry Charleston, 34, and Rebecca McAlees, 24, were the first road victims after crashing on Clevedon-Kawakawa Rd in southeast Auckland on Christmas Day.
Road policing manager for Tāmaki Makaurau Inspector Scott Webb says any death is too many and motorists need to be patient.
"The repercussions for family and loved ones across the spectrum is huge."
Roads throughout the country are expected to be busy over the holiday, especially those leaving our biggest cities.
Between 2015 and 2019, an average of 11 people have been killed and more than 400 injured during the Christmas-New Year holiday.
NZ Transport Agency general manager safety, health and environment Greg Lazzaro says everyone deserves a safe holiday.
Jack Heritage Jnr and Viliami Muru-Teutau, both 20, died on Boxing Day. Photo / Supplied
"This is a special time of year, and we don't want anyone's holiday to be marred by an avoidable tragedy on the roads," Lazzaro said.
"Deaths and serious injuries on our roads are not inevitable, and we shouldn't accept that serious crashes are just another part of the holidays.
"We're all human and we can all make mistakes, but every one of us also has the power to make the right decisions, which will keep the roads safer for everyone."
Terry Charleston. Photo / Supplied
Rebecca McAlees. Photo / Supplied
The Ministry of Transport's official year-to-date road toll shows 317 people died between January 1 and December 28 in 2020, compared to 350 in 2019.
Brake New Zealand director Caroline Perry says any death is a tragedy but this time of year makes it especially hard on families.
Heritage snr says there has been an overwhelming level of support, with many young people among the grieving who he had a special message for.
"I have been telling them; 'I wouldn't want your parents to go through what we are going through now'," Heritage said. "It is so painful."
"So please... learn from what has happened. Just be careful. Think of your parents. Think of your life."
Muru-Teutau's family tonight said they were devastated at the loss of a vibrant, happy and much loved son, and young father.
"We can't believe he is gone. We are in a state of shock and our hearts are broken.
"Vili was a young man who had everything to live for. He is the father of a 1-year-old daughter, and as one of five children, Vili's death has crushed his parents and family. There are no words to describe the pain and grief we are feeling."
Two vehicles collided on Kahikatea Flat Rd. A local told the Herald the crash involved a six-wheel truck and a car coming out of a driveway.
NZTA's top tips for 'driving safely, arriving alive':
• Check your car is in good "health" before you head off: check your tyre pressure and tread, windscreen wipers, indicators and lights.
• Take extra care when travelling in holiday periods because of increased traffic volumes, congestion, tiredness and people driving in unfamiliar environments.
• Drive to the conditions: whether it's the weather, the road you're on, the time of day or amount of traffic.
• Avoid fatigue: take regular breaks to stay alert.
• Keep a safe following distance from vehicles in front so you can stop safely.
