"It is pleasing to see those numbers reducing," Mr Taylor said. "In fact all crashes across the Bay of Plenty, which includes Rotorua and Tauranga, have declined in recent months and continue to decline."
Staff have also reported a noticeable reduction in speed over the past few years.
"As more drivers slow down, less crashes occur. If we are catching less people speeding because there are less people to catch, then that is a good thing."
Despite this, Rotorua drivers were fined nearly $1.6 million by police for speeding during the past financial year.
Nationally, fines amounted to at least $80 million for the period, during which more than 900,000 speeding tickets were issued.
Figures show ticket numbers have remained steady in the past two financial years, but fines have dropped by about $3 million, down from $83,619,720 in 2010/11 to $80,155,710 in 2011/12.
These figures do not include fines for those caught driving at more than 50km/h over the limit because they are imposed by the court system.
National road policing manager Superintendent Carey Griffiths said many speed-related crashes were caused by motorists travelling at 10km/h over the speed limit.
In the 2011/12 financial year, police dedicated $51 million to speed enforcement.
The numbers
By financial year:
1. 2011/2012;
2. 2010/2011;
3. 2009/2010
ROTORUA
Speeding tickets:
1. 17,190;
2. 22,969;
3. 11,243
Fines:
1. $1,598,280;
2. $2,075,730;
3. $1,175,490
Speed-related fatal and serious crashes:
1. 7;
2. 11;
3. 12
Fastest driver in 2011/2012: 160km/h
