Download a historical timeline of road safety in New Zealand
Download a historical timeline of road safety in New Zealand
Download a historical timeline of road safety in New Zealand
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Road Safety Progress<br />
In 1973, <strong>New</strong> <strong>Zealand</strong> suffered its highest ever <strong>road</strong> toll, 843 deaths <strong>in</strong> a<br />
s<strong>in</strong>gle year. Our population at this time was just over 3 million and there were<br />
less than half the number <strong>of</strong> cars we now have on the <strong>road</strong>.<br />
The <strong>in</strong>ternational energy crisis and subsequent <strong>in</strong>troduction <strong>of</strong> carless days<br />
and a lower open <strong>road</strong> speed limit helped with a drop <strong>in</strong> the <strong>road</strong> toll <strong>in</strong> the<br />
years immediately follow<strong>in</strong>g 1973’s tragic result. Over the next 35 years<br />
significant changes were made that have helped ensure such a horrific toll<br />
has not been repeated despite a rise <strong>in</strong> population and vehicle numbers.<br />
Changes over this time have <strong>in</strong>cluded lower alcohol limits, the use <strong>of</strong> hard<br />
hitt<strong>in</strong>g public awareness campaigns, targeted enforcement through measures<br />
such as compulsory breath test<strong>in</strong>g, speed cameras and the <strong>in</strong>troduction <strong>of</strong> the<br />
graduated driver licens<strong>in</strong>g system, the first <strong>of</strong> its k<strong>in</strong>d <strong>in</strong> the world. Vehicle<br />
<strong>safety</strong> improvements have also helped reduce the impact <strong>of</strong> crashes.<br />
In the 2000s progress began to slow and it became clear that the focus on the<br />
Three Es <strong>of</strong> ‘Enforcement, Eng<strong>in</strong>eer<strong>in</strong>g and Education that had dom<strong>in</strong>ated<br />
<strong>New</strong> <strong>Zealand</strong>’s <strong>road</strong> <strong>safety</strong> approach would not be enough to br<strong>in</strong>g about<br />
further significant decreases.<br />
In 2010, follow<strong>in</strong>g substantial public engagement, the government launched<br />
Safer Journeys: <strong>New</strong> <strong>Zealand</strong>’s Road Safety Strategy 2010-2020. The<br />
strategy <strong>in</strong>troduced a Safe System approach to <strong>New</strong> <strong>Zealand</strong>’s <strong>road</strong> <strong>safety</strong><br />
effort, tak<strong>in</strong>g a b<strong>road</strong>er focus and sett<strong>in</strong>g actions for safe <strong>road</strong>s, safe speeds,<br />
safe vehicles and safe <strong>road</strong> use.<br />
Already a number <strong>of</strong> significant actions have been taken as a result <strong>of</strong> Safer<br />
Journeys.<br />
If we had the same rate <strong>of</strong> <strong>road</strong> death as we did <strong>in</strong> 1973, given the number <strong>of</strong><br />
cars now, there would be about 1900 <strong>road</strong> deaths this year. The 2011 <strong>road</strong> toll<br />
is likely to be a much more encourag<strong>in</strong>g result but even so there is still a lot <strong>of</strong><br />
work to do. The government will cont<strong>in</strong>ue to progress Safer Journeys, and we<br />
can all play a part. Whether we are <strong>road</strong> designer or <strong>road</strong> user, a vehicle<br />
retailer or a vehicle owner there are steps we can take to improve <strong>safety</strong> on<br />
our <strong>road</strong>s and to keep the <strong>road</strong> toll down.<br />
Page 1 <strong>of</strong> 5
Timel<strong>in</strong>e <strong>of</strong> Road <strong>safety</strong> <strong>in</strong> <strong>New</strong> <strong>Zealand</strong><br />
1905 <strong>New</strong> <strong>Zealand</strong>’s first known motor vehicle death occurs <strong>in</strong> Duned<strong>in</strong>. A<br />
young motorcyclist dies after a collision with a tra<strong>in</strong> at a level cross<strong>in</strong>g.<br />
1925 Driver licences become compulsory for all drivers.<br />
1929 Our first <strong>of</strong>ficial roll toll is announced – 69 deaths. Before the <strong>of</strong>ficial<br />
count began, <strong>road</strong> deaths were reported through radio and newspaper<br />
reports. From 1908 to 1929 there were an estimated 300 <strong>road</strong> deaths.<br />
1930 By this time, both Well<strong>in</strong>gton and Duned<strong>in</strong> have <strong>in</strong>stalled traffic lights at<br />
problem <strong>in</strong>tersections. The system proves so successful that it is<br />
adopted as the national standard.<br />
1937 The first edition <strong>of</strong> the <strong>road</strong> code is sent to every <strong>New</strong> <strong>Zealand</strong><br />
household<br />
The first national <strong>road</strong> <strong>safety</strong> campaign appears.<br />
Compulsory Warrant <strong>of</strong> Fitness checks are <strong>in</strong>troduced.<br />
Police beg<strong>in</strong> report<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong>jury crashes to the Transport Department.<br />
Previously, only fatal statistics were kept.<br />
Traffic <strong>in</strong>spectors appo<strong>in</strong>ted to enforce traffic laws.<br />
1950 The first Stop signs are used at <strong>in</strong>tersections.<br />
1956 Motorcyclists travell<strong>in</strong>g at over 30mph (50km/h) now have to wear a<br />
helmet.<br />
1957 Give Way signs appear.<br />
1961 The Department <strong>of</strong> Transport launches its first TV <strong>road</strong> <strong>safety</strong><br />
campaign.<br />
1965 All new cars and light trucks are required to be fitted with <strong>safety</strong> belts.<br />
1967 The demerit po<strong>in</strong>ts system is <strong>in</strong>troduced.<br />
1968 Road crash data is computerised for the first time<br />
1969 The first ‘breathalyser’ is <strong>in</strong>troduced to test drivers’ alcohol levels. The<br />
legal limit was set at 100mg per 100ml <strong>of</strong> blood. In its<br />
first year <strong>of</strong> operation 2,928 drivers are tested with the breathalyser.<br />
Only 214 are sober enough to drive!<br />
Page 2 <strong>of</strong> 5
1973 Helmets are made compulsory for all motorcyclists and their<br />
passengers.<br />
<strong>New</strong> <strong>Zealand</strong> suffers its highest ever <strong>road</strong> toll, 843 deaths <strong>in</strong> a s<strong>in</strong>gle<br />
year. Our population at this time was just over 3 million.<br />
1978 The legal blood alcohol limit is lowered from 100 milligrams <strong>of</strong> alcohol<br />
per 100 millilitres <strong>of</strong> blood to 80 milligrams per 100 millilitres.<br />
Evidential breath test<strong>in</strong>g is <strong>in</strong>troduced.<br />
1979 <strong>New</strong> <strong>Zealand</strong> <strong>in</strong>troduces carless days <strong>in</strong> response to the <strong>in</strong>ternational<br />
oil crisis. There is a subsequent, massive drop <strong>in</strong> <strong>road</strong> fatalities.<br />
It becomes compulsory for children over the age <strong>of</strong> eight to wear a<br />
<strong>safety</strong> belt.<br />
1983 Legislation is <strong>in</strong>troduced that allows Courts to require repeat dr<strong>in</strong>k or<br />
drugged drivers to attend an Assessment Centre, and to be disqualified<br />
from hold<strong>in</strong>g or obta<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g a licence.<br />
1984 The Accident Investigation System is <strong>in</strong>troduced. This allowed more<br />
detailed analysis <strong>of</strong> crash data.<br />
1987 <strong>New</strong> <strong>Zealand</strong> becomes the first country <strong>in</strong> the world to <strong>in</strong>troduce a<br />
Graduated Driver Licens<strong>in</strong>g System <strong>in</strong>troduced, creat<strong>in</strong>g a staged<br />
process for ga<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g a full licence.<br />
Hawk radars are <strong>in</strong>troduced to catch speed<strong>in</strong>g drivers. These can be<br />
used from mov<strong>in</strong>g patrol cars as well as stationary at the <strong>road</strong>side.<br />
1992 The Traffic Safety Service is merged with Police.<br />
1993 Compulsory breath test<strong>in</strong>g is <strong>in</strong>troduced, allow<strong>in</strong>g the police to breath<br />
test any driver for alcohol, anywhere, at any time.<br />
Dr<strong>in</strong>k drive limits are reduced for under 20 year olds.<br />
Speed cameras are put <strong>in</strong>to use.<br />
1994 Cycle helmets are made compulsory.<br />
Child restra<strong>in</strong>ts are made compulsory for 0-2 year olds.<br />
1995 Child restra<strong>in</strong>ts are made compulsory for 3-5 year olds.<br />
The National Road Safety Plan is launched. Us<strong>in</strong>g hard-hitt<strong>in</strong>g, high<br />
pr<strong>of</strong>ile advertis<strong>in</strong>g and <strong>in</strong>creased enforcement, it aims to reduce the<br />
<strong>road</strong> toll to 402 or less by the year 2001.<br />
Page 3 <strong>of</strong> 5
1996 <strong>New</strong> <strong>Zealand</strong>’s annual <strong>road</strong> toll is 515, the lowest number <strong>in</strong> 32 years.<br />
<strong>New</strong> advertisements feature the slogan ‘If you dr<strong>in</strong>k and drive, you’re a<br />
bloody idiot.’<br />
1997 Hidden speed cameras are trialled <strong>in</strong> several locations.<br />
1998 The Crash Analysis System or CAS is launched. CAS holds<br />
<strong>in</strong>formation on crashes and maps their location.<br />
1999 Vehicle impoundment for disqualified drivers <strong>in</strong>troduced.<br />
Road sided suspension <strong>in</strong>troduced for a number <strong>of</strong> <strong>of</strong>fences <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g<br />
driv<strong>in</strong>g at double the legal blood alcohol limit.<br />
2002 Legislation is passed which requires all imported passenger cars to<br />
conform to an agreed, overseas frontal impact standard.<br />
2003 Offences are created for street rac<strong>in</strong>g, wheel sp<strong>in</strong>n<strong>in</strong>g and pour<strong>in</strong>g<br />
slippery substances on the <strong>road</strong> to allow wheel sp<strong>in</strong>n<strong>in</strong>g. Further<br />
change will be made <strong>in</strong> 2009 to help crack down on these <strong>of</strong>fences.<br />
The government launches the Road Safety to 2010 strategy, which<br />
aims to reduce the <strong>road</strong> toll to no more than 300 deaths by 2010.<br />
2008 <strong>New</strong> <strong>Zealand</strong>’s annual <strong>road</strong> toll is 366. The lowest annual total s<strong>in</strong>ce<br />
1959.<br />
2009 The use <strong>of</strong> hand held mobile phones and text<strong>in</strong>g while driv<strong>in</strong>g is<br />
banned.<br />
It becomes compulsory for motorcycle and moped riders to switch on<br />
their headlamps dur<strong>in</strong>g daylight hours (unless the vehicle was<br />
manufactured before 1 January 1980).<br />
A law is <strong>in</strong>troduced that allows police to conduct a <strong>road</strong>side impairment<br />
test for drugged drivers.<br />
A law is <strong>in</strong>troduced that gives Police stronger powers to tackle illegal<br />
street rac<strong>in</strong>g and allows <strong>road</strong> controll<strong>in</strong>g authorities to make bylaws<br />
prohibit<strong>in</strong>g “cruis<strong>in</strong>g”.<br />
2010 The government launches Safer Journeys: <strong>New</strong> <strong>Zealand</strong>’s Road Safety<br />
Strategy 2010-2020 follow<strong>in</strong>g substantial public engagement on <strong>road</strong><br />
<strong>safety</strong> issues. The strategy <strong>in</strong>troduces a Safe System approach to <strong>New</strong><br />
<strong>Zealand</strong>’s <strong>road</strong> <strong>safety</strong> effort, mov<strong>in</strong>g beyond an earlier focus on drivers<br />
to set actions for safe <strong>road</strong>s, safe speeds, safe vehicles and safe <strong>road</strong><br />
use.<br />
Page 4 <strong>of</strong> 5
2011 A number <strong>of</strong> major changes are made as part <strong>of</strong> the implementation <strong>of</strong><br />
the Safer Journeys strategy:<br />
The driv<strong>in</strong>g age is raised from 15 to 16.<br />
A zero alcohol limit is <strong>in</strong>troduced for young drivers and repeat dr<strong>in</strong>k<br />
drivers.<br />
Legislative changes are made to allow for <strong>in</strong>troduction <strong>of</strong> alcohol<br />
<strong>in</strong>terlocks.<br />
Planned changes are confirmed for give way rules at <strong>in</strong>tersections.<br />
These will come <strong>in</strong>to force <strong>in</strong> 2012.<br />
Changes are <strong>in</strong>troduced for motorcycle and moped riders, <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g the<br />
<strong>in</strong>troduction <strong>of</strong> a power to weight restriction on bikes for novices and a<br />
competency based tra<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g and assessment option for novices. Both<br />
measures will be implemented <strong>in</strong> 2012.<br />
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