By CATHY ARONSON
Fewer people died on the roads in the first six months of this year than any other half-year on record.
The 214 deaths to Sunday was down 31 from the same time last year, and is the lowest number since records began in 1965.
It beats the last record
half-year in 2000, 236 deaths, and continues a two-year downward trend.
Land Transport Safety Authority director David Wright said drivers were slowing down, staying sober and buckling up.
The number of road deaths involving alcohol has dropped from 200 in 1995 to 118 last year.
Speed-related deaths are down from 221 in 1995 to 141 last year.
The number of people who died not wearing a seatbelt dropped from 112 in 1995 to 76 last year.
Inspector John Kelly, the police road operations manager, said police had been given more resources and powers to enforce the law, and drivers' attitudes had started to change.
"Drivers are starting to realise there are advantages to complying with the law."
The 183 highway patrol cars, two extra booze buses and the ability to impound the vehicles of unlicensed drivers had helped to cut the road toll.
The number of people caught driving while disqualified has fallen by nearly 40 per cent since the impounding powers were given in May 1999.
About half the vehicles seized are unroadworthy and are not reclaimed.
Mr Kelly said highway patrols were catching drivers speeding 10km/h above the limit.
The number of drivers caught speeding on the open road more than doubled last year, to 114,099 from 56,889 in 2000.
* A Rotorua doctor was killed when his car hit a bucket loader travelling in the same direction at Atiamuri, near Tokoroa, on Saturday.
He was Gavin Watson O'Keefe, 53.
Police said his car turned into a fireball after the impact.
"He hit the rear of the loader and his car was forced underneath it," Constable Daniel Peat said.
It appeared Dr O'Keefe had not used his brakes or swerved to avoid the loader, and police were having difficulty working out why the accident occurred.
The loader driver's wife was travelling behind the two vehicles when the accident happened and Dr O'Keefe's car burst into flames.
Neither she nor her husband could have saved him, police said.
Dr O'Keefe's death had devastated the local medical community, said colleague Trisha Briscoe.
"He was such a vibrant person who gave so much to the community."
Dr O'Keefe was a GP in Rotorua for 20 years.
Feature: Cutting the road toll
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By CATHY ARONSON
Fewer people died on the roads in the first six months of this year than any other half-year on record.
The 214 deaths to Sunday was down 31 from the same time last year, and is the lowest number since records began in 1965.
It beats the last record
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