18 people killed on roads in 10 days
18 people were killed in 14 separate road crashes in New Zealand over 10 days, with 16 deaths occurring on open roads with 100km/h speed limits. Police attribute the fatalities to poor driving attitudes and lack of training, rather than just excessive speed.
New Zealand police reported 18 fatalities in 14 road crashes over 10 days starting April 20. Most deaths occurred on open roads with 100km/h speed limits and no safety barriers. Inspector Peter McKennie stated that drivers' poor attitudes and lack of training contributed to the crashes, not just excessive speed. Drivers need to focus 100% on driving and avoid distractions. McKennie cited international evidence showing hands-free technology can be just as distracting as using a mobile phone while driving. Bruce Wilson, a former police officer, noted that drivers are overconfident in their vehicles' safety features and undertrained in handling dangerous situations. The road toll is trending higher this year despite increased fuel costs.
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