IAn Overview of Road Safety in New Zealand

I n 1988, a total of 721 road users were killed in New Zealand, and 17,317injured. The cost to the country of all road accidents, based on figures supplied by the Ministry of Transport, is estimated to be a staggering $600 million (U.S. dollars) a year.’ When compared with two developing countries, one of which had high vehicle ownership comparable to New Zealand, New Zealand had a higher fatality rate.’ However, the actual problem is even greater than the statistics show. While accidents involving deaths are fully reported, other accidents are not. Research showed that injuries to car occupants were likely to be underreported by about 14 percent, by 27 percent by pedestrians and by 60 percent by pedal cyclists. ~ This article looks at the main components of accidents in New Zealand that contribute to the overall number of accidents, compares road safety parameters with other countries and explores strategies to improve safety performance on New Zealand roads.