Four hundred and twenty two people died on New Zealand roads last year – 29 more than in 2006.

The 2007 toll is an increase on the record low toll of 2006. Ministry of Transport spokeswoman Anna Gilbert said there have been nearly 4,600 deaths and 132,000 injuries from crashes on our roads over the past 10 years.

More than 35,000 people have been killed on the road since New Zealand's first known fatal crash in Christchurch in 1908. The deadliest year on our roads was 1973, when 843 were killed. The lowest road toll in over 40 years was in 2006.
As recently as 1990 there were 729 road deaths in New Zealand each year. Since then annual road deaths have dropped by 42 percent, in spite of a 45 percent increase in the number of vehicles on the road and a 24 percent increase in population.

The Government has set a target of no more than 300 road deaths per year by 2010 and proposed a target of no more than 200 fatalities per year by 2040. Annual road fatalities will need to be brought down by 29 percent over the next two years to reach the first target.

Preliminary analysis shows that driving too fast for the conditions and drink-driving were the two biggest factors in fatal crashes last year, with excessive speed a factor in 30 percent and drink-driving contributing to 30 percent. Twenty five percent of the vehicle occupants killed last year were not wearing seatbelts.

Tables with historical crash statistics, fatality rates and regional breakdowns follow this statement or are attached below.

ENDS

ROAD TOLL TABLES

Road Deaths Update as at Monday, 31 December 2007

New Zealand Road Deaths Data, 1990-2006

Road Deaths Update: Local Government Region

Anna Gilbert,
Media & Communication Adviser,
Ministry of Transport

Source: Ministry of Transport

**************

© Scoop Media