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An Auckland police officer has written an emotional plea to New Zealand drivers to be safer on New Zealand’s roads after the holiday road toll rose to four in the past 24 hours.
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The toll already matches the death toll during the entire Christmas and New Year period last year. Source: 1 NEWS
Two separate fatal accidents in Auckland, one in Clevedon last night and the other in Henderson this morning, resulted in the deaths of four people.
There have also been other serious accidents that have left people in critical condition, such as an incident in Christchurch that resulted in the driver having to be cut from his vehicle.
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Clevedon Kawakawa Rd was closed for some time last night when emergency services responded to the incident. Source: 1 NEWS
The tragic start to the holiday season has prompted Inspector Jason Homan to write a letter to the New Zealand public, urging drivers to watch out for each other on the road.
“The Tāmaki Makaurau police are urging drivers to be careful on the roads after a tragic start to the holiday period.
Families of four have lost a loved one on the roads of Auckland since last night.
Other crashes have caused serious injuries.
Every death along the way means that a person will never return home to his whānau and friends.
We don’t want any other family to experience so much grief and loss this vacation period.
While the cause of each accident remains under investigation, there are indications that high speeds have been a contributing factor to the incidents.
That is why the police are urging drivers to be careful on the roads and slow down.
Put on your seat belt and make sure your passengers have yours.
Put away distractions like cell phones.
Our officers work tirelessly every day to keep our roads safe, but we cannot control the actions of every driver, every minute of the day, and people must take responsibility for their driving behavior.
Road safety is something for which everyone must take responsibility.
Everyone who gets behind the wheel must take responsibility for their safety, that of their passengers and also other road users and pedestrians.
And if you are a passenger in a vehicle and you don’t feel safe, have the courage to say something to the driver or ask to get out.
Take you and your friends home safely this vacation and be careful on the roads. “
New Zealand also had its first water-related death of the holiday period yesterday also after a diving incident in Hawke’s Bay.
Police said the person was given medical assistance on the beach in Pourerere, but that he died at the scene.
