In a social media post on Monday, Waikato police said it had been a “horrific” couple of weeks.
In a social media post on Monday, Waikato police said it had been a “horrific” couple of weeks.
Police have warned Waikato motorists to start taking road safety seriously after eight people were killed on the region’s roads between Labour Weekend last month and November 10.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi’s road traffic crash data recorded 19 serious injury crashes and 10 deaths on roads in the Waikatoregion just in October.
However, NZTA believes non-fatal crashes are under-reported and the actual number could be higher.
Among the crashes last month are also four non-fatal motorcycle crashes in Waikato in the space of two hours on October 20.
In a social media post on Monday, Waikato police said it had been a “horrific” couple of weeks.
One between a car and a motorcycle in Ngāruawāhia on October 1 at 7am, which claimed the life of local motorbike rider Craig Read.
On October 15, United States tourists Joshua Laroy Greenway, 35, and Amber Kory Stephens, 34, died after a serious two-vehicle crash near the intersection of SH1 and Horahora Rd at Piarere about 7.40pm.
A man died in hospital after he was seriously injured in a motorcycle crash on Te Pahu Rd in Waipā District on October 18, just after 11am.
October saw 10 road deaths and at least 19 serious crashes recorded across Waikato.
On October 22, one person died following a two-vehicle crash on State Highway 1, Kinleith, about 6.10pm.
On October 26, one person died after a single-vehicle crash in Morrinsville, on Matuku Road at around 2.45am.
On October 30, Michael Plowman, 51, of Matamata, died after a crash at the intersection of Waharoa Rd East and Pohlen Rd at 4.40pm.
On October 31, one person died near Hamilton Airport, after a two-vehicle crash near the Narrows Rd intersection, about 1.20pm.
The same day, another person died in an unrelated incident after crashing into a river in Whatawhata about 5.15pm.
Andrew Corkill, NZTA Director of Regional Relationships for the Waikato / Bay of Plenty, said NZTA staff and contractors, particularly staff working in the Waikato who attended these events, were saddened by the number of fatalities on the roads last month.
“Our thoughts are with everyone affected, their family and friends. Fatal road crashes have a devastating impact on communities, families, loved ones and friends.
“With more people on the road as we head into the summer months, it’s an important reminder for people to slow down, drive with care and adjust to the conditions – whether this be traffic, roadworks, or weather."
In their post, Waikato police said speed, distraction and poor decision-making costs lives, and asked people to do their part to avoid the toll.
“Please pay attention to the road, put your phones away, if you’ve been drinking – don’t drive, always wear your seat belt or helmet if you’re a rider and slow down."
Waikato District road policing manager Inspector Jeff Penno said police would do their part.
“Rest assured we are out in bigger than ever numbers over the summer period.
“If you speed, you can expect a ticket for that. There is no tolerance – speeding is speeding."
“Before you get behind the wheel, make sure you’re well rested so you’re alert.
“If you’re on a long roadie, include rest breaks every couple of hours and share the driving.
“Travel at a safe speed whenever you drive. This means following the speed limit and adjusting your speed to the road, traffic or weather conditions.
“[And before] you set off, plan your journey.
“You can keep up to date with state highway conditions by following our social media pages and the Journey Planner.”
Danielle Zollickhofer is the Waikato news director and a multimedia journalist at the Waikato Herald. She joined NZME in 2021 and is based in Hamilton.
