Police plea to young people – make the right decisions to keep safe

After a tragic ten days on Bay of Plenty roads, the Bay of Plenty Police District's Road Policing Manager has a simple message for the region's young people – make the right decisions to keep yourselves and your friends safe.

Inspector Kevin Taylor's comments come after a ten day period which has seen three serious crashes in the District that have resulted in the deaths of two young people and left 21 others with injuries ranging from critical to minor.

The first crash occurred in the early hours of Saturday 17 July when a van returning to Rotorua from a party in Taupo hit a bank, throwing all 12 occupants out of the vehicle.

The second crash occurred on Thursday 22 July, when a car containing five students lost control on a bend on State Highway 33 outside Rotorua, spinning into the path of an oncoming car. Eighteen year old Kristi Ruri-Gardiner died the day after the crash, while another passenger in the car is still in a critical condition.

The third crash occurred yesterday morning (Sunday 25 July), when the driver of a car lost control on State Highway 2 in Te Puke, crashing off the bridge and falling four metres to the creek below. Eighteen year old Judas Ace Witeri from Tauranga was killed in the crash, while five other occupants were treated in hospital. A sixth passenger was uninjured.

Inspector Taylor says in all three cases, the situation could have been much worse.

He says while there may be a number of different factors that contributed to each of the incidents, ultimately the crashes were the culmination of a series of decisions, the likes of which are made by young people, across the country, every day.

"Sadly in these particular cases, these decisions have come unstuck in the driving environment. When things go wrong on the road, there can be serious consequences. I can't reinforce enough that young people need to make the right decisions before they ever even get into a car.

"Young people today are living in an environment where they are faced with greater challenges and pressures than ever before.

"They are surrounded by a culture of parties, cellphones, social media, balls, after-ball parties, alcohol and cars just to name a few examples. Throw in getting behind the wheel, weather conditions, speed, passengers and/or other distractions and it's an absolutely lethal combination.

"All kids have to take responsibility for keeping themselves safe, but equally, it is our responsibility as adults to equip them with the tools and experience to make the right choices in that pressure-cooker environment.

"There are many parents and teachers who go out of their way to provide a safe environment for young people. Their efforts are applauded."

Inspector Taylor says that unfortunately, there is also an underlying sense of invincibility amongst young people.

"Often, they only realise their own mortality when one of their friends is seriously injured or worse.

"It comes down to the same tried and true advice – slow down, drive to the conditions, wear your seatbelt, and don't drink and drive. If you break the road rules, you might get a ticket or lose your licence. If you break the laws of physics while you are on the road, the consequences are far more serious.

"When you get into a car, you physically put your life in the hands of the driver. The outcome for you will be completely dependent on the choices they have made already that day, and the choices they will make when they are behind the wheel.

"I'm aware that there are a lot of conversations going on in a variety of different forums about these incidents – at school, in homes and amongst friends.

"My plea to young people is to not let the suffering of your friends be in vain. Learn these lessons for life, and have a long life."

Inspector Taylor says there are a number of safe driving initiatives in place across the District, including an annual Anti Drink/Drug Drive Expo in Tauranga (this year taking place from 16 to 20 August), and a Rotary Youth Driver Awareness programme which will be held in Rotorua in August.

"Police are constantly looking for more effective ways to connect the right messages with the right audience, and we will continue to work with anyone and everyone who has a role to play to keeping our communities safe."