Steve Fitzgeralds loss a blow
Candor Trust
The Candor Trust convey condolences and sadness at the death of a top road safety professional Superintendant Steve
Fitzgerald in tragic circumstances. New Zealand Road Police lost a champion when he was reassigned to Police
communications.
Though his dedicated road safety efforts were frustrated by an uncaring political machinary that has seen progress in
road safety sink to below 20th out of 28 OECD countries in the last 5 years, Steve Fitzgerald always stood up for what
was right.
Way back in 2002 Superintendent Steve Fitzgerald, told the NZ Herald people were driving under the influence of drugs
such as speed and Ecstasy as well as cannabis. "If we are trying to reduce road trauma, we can't ignore something that
is staring us in the face," he explained.
Fitzgerald was persistent about keeping the DUI drug issue on the agenda. His efforts certainly contributed to the
creation of the current drugged driving bill which continues to languishing with low priority in the rudderless Beehive.
We can't really put any store in LTNZs undertaking to honor Superintendant Fitzgerald with a renewed commitment to road
safety, say Candor. The best that may be hoped for is that the man is accorded the honor of a civilised crash
investigation inclusive of alcohol and drug testing.
This level of scrutiny is not standard when Occupational drivers are implicated as suspects in the most frequent form
of homicide.
The death of Superintendant Fitzgerald on the heels of the loss of two other prime Kiwi road safety advocats Wayne Price
and John Bailey is a great blow. The Trust wishes strength and healing to the family and colleagues of a Police Oficer
who will be fondly remembered.
ends