Download a historical timeline of road safety in New Zealand

Road Safety Progress
In 1973, New Zealand suffered its highest ever road toll, 843 deaths in a
single year. Our population at this time was just over 3 million and there were
less than half the number of cars we now have on the road.
The international energy crisis and subsequent introduction of carless days
and a lower open road speed limit helped with a drop in the road toll in the
years immediately following 1973’s tragic result. Over the next 35 years
significant changes were made that have helped ensure such a horrific toll
has not been repeated despite a rise in population and vehicle numbers.
Changes over this time have included lower alcohol limits, the use of hard
hitting public awareness campaigns, targeted enforcement through measures
such as compulsory breath testing, speed cameras and the introduction of the
graduated driver licensing system, the first of its kind in the world. Vehicle
safety improvements have also helped reduce the impact of crashes.
In the 2000s progress began to slow and it became clear that the focus on the
Three Es of ‘Enforcement, Engineering and Education that had dominated
New Zealand’s road safety approach would not be enough to bring about
further significant decreases.
In 2010, following substantial public engagement, the government launched
Safer Journeys: New Zealand’s Road Safety Strategy 2010-2020. The
strategy introduced a Safe System approach to New Zealand’s road safety
effort, taking a broader focus and setting actions for safe roads, safe speeds,
safe vehicles and safe road use.
Already a number of significant actions have been taken as a result of Safer
Journeys.
If we had the same rate of road death as we did in 1973, given the number of
cars now, there would be about 1900 road deaths this year. The 2011 road toll
is likely to be a much more encouraging result but even so there is still a lot of
work to do. The government will continue to progress Safer Journeys, and we
can all play a part. Whether we are road designer or road user, a vehicle
retailer or a vehicle owner there are steps we can take to improve safety on
our roads and to keep the road toll down.
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Timeline of Road safety in New Zealand
1905 New Zealand’s first known motor vehicle death occurs in Dunedin. A
young motorcyclist dies after a collision with a train at a level crossing.
1925 Driver licences become compulsory for all drivers.
1929 Our first official roll toll is announced – 69 deaths. Before the official
count began, road deaths were reported through radio and newspaper
reports. From 1908 to 1929 there were an estimated 300 road deaths.
1930 By this time, both Wellington and Dunedin have installed traffic lights at
problem intersections. The system proves so successful that it is
adopted as the national standard.
1937 The first edition of the road code is sent to every New Zealand
household
The first national road safety campaign appears.
Compulsory Warrant of Fitness checks are introduced.
Police begin reporting injury crashes to the Transport Department.
Previously, only fatal statistics were kept.
Traffic inspectors appointed to enforce traffic laws.
1950 The first Stop signs are used at intersections.
1956 Motorcyclists travelling at over 30mph (50km/h) now have to wear a
helmet.
1957 Give Way signs appear.
1961 The Department of Transport launches its first TV road safety
campaign.
1965 All new cars and light trucks are required to be fitted with safety belts.
1967 The demerit points system is introduced.
1968 Road crash data is computerised for the first time
1969 The first ‘breathalyser’ is introduced to test drivers’ alcohol levels. The
legal limit was set at 100mg per 100ml of blood. In its
first year of operation 2,928 drivers are tested with the breathalyser.
Only 214 are sober enough to drive!
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1973 Helmets are made compulsory for all motorcyclists and their
passengers.
New Zealand suffers its highest ever road toll, 843 deaths in a single
year. Our population at this time was just over 3 million.
1978 The legal blood alcohol limit is lowered from 100 milligrams of alcohol
per 100 millilitres of blood to 80 milligrams per 100 millilitres.
Evidential breath testing is introduced.
1979 New Zealand introduces carless days in response to the international
oil crisis. There is a subsequent, massive drop in road fatalities.
It becomes compulsory for children over the age of eight to wear a
safety belt.
1983 Legislation is introduced that allows Courts to require repeat drink or
drugged drivers to attend an Assessment Centre, and to be disqualified
from holding or obtaining a licence.
1984 The Accident Investigation System is introduced. This allowed more
detailed analysis of crash data.
1987 New Zealand becomes the first country in the world to introduce a
Graduated Driver Licensing System introduced, creating a staged
process for gaining a full licence.
Hawk radars are introduced to catch speeding drivers. These can be
used from moving patrol cars as well as stationary at the roadside.
1992 The Traffic Safety Service is merged with Police.
1993 Compulsory breath testing is introduced, allowing the police to breath
test any driver for alcohol, anywhere, at any time.
Drink drive limits are reduced for under 20 year olds.
Speed cameras are put into use.
1994 Cycle helmets are made compulsory.
Child restraints are made compulsory for 0-2 year olds.
1995 Child restraints are made compulsory for 3-5 year olds.
The National Road Safety Plan is launched. Using hard-hitting, high
profile advertising and increased enforcement, it aims to reduce the
road toll to 402 or less by the year 2001.
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1996 New Zealand’s annual road toll is 515, the lowest number in 32 years.
New advertisements feature the slogan ‘If you drink and drive, you’re a
bloody idiot.’
1997 Hidden speed cameras are trialled in several locations.
1998 The Crash Analysis System or CAS is launched. CAS holds
information on crashes and maps their location.
1999 Vehicle impoundment for disqualified drivers introduced.
Road sided suspension introduced for a number of offences including
driving at double the legal blood alcohol limit.
2002 Legislation is passed which requires all imported passenger cars to
conform to an agreed, overseas frontal impact standard.
2003 Offences are created for street racing, wheel spinning and pouring
slippery substances on the road to allow wheel spinning. Further
change will be made in 2009 to help crack down on these offences.
The government launches the Road Safety to 2010 strategy, which
aims to reduce the road toll to no more than 300 deaths by 2010.
2008 New Zealand’s annual road toll is 366. The lowest annual total since
1959.
2009 The use of hand held mobile phones and texting while driving is
banned.
It becomes compulsory for motorcycle and moped riders to switch on
their headlamps during daylight hours (unless the vehicle was
manufactured before 1 January 1980).
A law is introduced that allows police to conduct a roadside impairment
test for drugged drivers.
A law is introduced that gives Police stronger powers to tackle illegal
street racing and allows road controlling authorities to make bylaws
prohibiting “cruising”.
2010 The government launches Safer Journeys: New Zealand’s Road Safety
Strategy 2010-2020 following substantial public engagement on road
safety issues. The strategy introduces a Safe System approach to New
Zealand’s road safety effort, moving beyond an earlier focus on drivers
to set actions for safe roads, safe speeds, safe vehicles and safe road
use.
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2011 A number of major changes are made as part of the implementation of
the Safer Journeys strategy:
The driving age is raised from 15 to 16.
A zero alcohol limit is introduced for young drivers and repeat drink
drivers.
Legislative changes are made to allow for introduction of alcohol
interlocks.
Planned changes are confirmed for give way rules at intersections.
These will come into force in 2012.
Changes are introduced for motorcycle and moped riders, including the
introduction of a power to weight restriction on bikes for novices and a
competency based training and assessment option for novices. Both
measures will be implemented in 2012.
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