Canterbury police disappointed by holiday crash toll
Canterbury Police are disappointed to have seen three serious crashes resulting in fatalities in the past few days in North Canterbury.
A passenger getting out of a crashed car in Oxford on Saturday was electrocuted by fallen power lines, a motorcycle rider struck an oncoming car on Sunday on State Highway 7, Hurunui, and a driver crossed the centre line yesterday on State Highway 1, Hurunui crashing into an oncoming car.
The official holiday period runs from 4pm Wednesday December 24 until 6am Monday January 5, 2015.
The last Christmas holiday period saw seven fatal crashes nationally, six of which occurred on the open road.
“At this time of year drivers could be fatigued from travelling, or distracted by passengers or children in their cars,” said Inspector Al Stewart, Canterbury Road Policing Manager.
“They may have their minds elsewhere in relation to what is happening over the holiday period, but we need drivers to be focused on what they are doing and ensuring it is safe before pulling out onto the State Highway, or passing another vehicle.
“We are asking drivers to be patient with other road users, ensure they plan their trip and get plenty of rest, breaking the journey up where possible,” said Inspector Stewart.
As always, slower drivers and those towing trailers and caravans, are urged to closely watch their mirrors and to pull over when they can safely do so, to allow following traffic to pass.
“Nationally we are running the Safe Summer campaign to reduce average speeds on our roads.
We know that a reduction of overall speed on the roads leads to reduced harm, and as such will be enforcing the lowered tolerance (4 km/h),” says Inspector Stewart. “Locally we are also running Operation Capricorn which sees additional staff each week assigned to an alcohol focus until the end of January.
Last year in Canterbury during December and January there was an increase of 11 percent where alcohol was a factor in injury crashes.
“This means every driver stopped can expect to be breath-tested,” said Inspector Stewart.
“Please make sure that both you and your vehicle are in good condition for any trip and be courteous and safe on the roads. Look after your mates and family, don’t let a moment of frustration on the roads lead to a bad decision, and arrive at your destination safely,” he said.
Category: News
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