<p>Police will be lowering the speed tolerance to 4km/h for all holiday periods starting this weekend.<br />
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"We believe that lowering the tolerance has made a real difference to the number of deaths on the roads over the holiday periods", said Superintendent Paula Rose, National Manager Road Policing today.<br />
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The lowered tolerance was introduced last Queen's Birthday after a disastrous Easter when 12 people died on the roads. That Queen's Birthday weekend saw a huge turnaround with only two deaths and a more than 30 percent reduction in crashes.<br />
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Since that weekend, during each holiday period Police have introduced the lowered tolerance and have seen a consistently lowered holiday road toll.<br />
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"We think that it is making a difference and that as most drivers have now become used to the idea, it seems obvious to introduce it permanently. The lowered tolerance does have the unexpected benefit of making drivers concentrate and focus on their driving and their speed. This has spin-off benefits in making their driving safer," said Superintendent Rose.<br />
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"There are many factors involved in reducing fatalities on the roads but this is one thing that we can do that is making a difference. We are also working with our road safety partners to make every journey safer. "<br />
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Over this weekend along with the continued focus on speed, Police will also target fatigue and alcohol.<br />
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"There are a few simple and sensible precautions that can be life savers," said Superintendent Rose. "Holiday driving requires extra care and patience, and most drivers understand this.<br />
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Fatigue is of particular concern over the holidays so we are urging drivers to take the simple and obvious precautions of ensuring that they get plenty of rest before the journey. But it’s also important that drivers make adequate time to complete their journey safely; take regular breaks if travelling long distances and ensure everyone in the vehicle is belted in safely.”<br />
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Police are hoping that the holiday period will not change the very low road toll and will be out in force to remind motorists to take care over the weekend.<br />
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"The road toll this year is very low so far, the lowest we have ever had and we want to keep in that way," said Superintendent Rose today.<br />
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For statistical information on holiday road toll:<br />
<a href="http://www.transport.govt.nz/ourwork/Land/landsafety/HolidayRoadToll/">http://www.transport.govt.nz/ourwork/Land/landsafety/HolidayRoadToll/</a></p>