Media statement | 21 August 2006

'The faster you go, the bigger the risk' - new ad attacks myth of 'safe speeding'

A new road safety television ad is taking aim at the myths surrounding 'safe speeding' and police enforcement.

The ad depicts the deadly consequences of speeding and illustrates the link between speed enforcement and road safety.

Director of Land Transport Wayne Donnelly said too many people were comfortable driving 'just over' the speed limit, taking 'slight risks' or making 'small mistakes'.

"It's not only excessive speeders that are the problem – people driving 10 to 20 km/h over the limit crash often. Nearly half of all speed-related crashes happen at or around the speed limit."

The chance of crashing increases with higher speeds, as does the risk of injury or death. You are twice as likely to be involved in a fatal crash travelling at 120 km/h than you are travelling at 100 km/h.

Mr Donnelly said the ultimate goal of the ad was to help reduce death and injury on New Zealand roads.

"Speeding drivers pose a major road safety risk and they contribute to a huge public health problem. On average a New Zealander is injured or killed every five hours in a speed-related crash. Last year over 2700 people were injured or killed in speed-related crashes on our roads.

"People caught driving above the speed limit will be ticketed. They are ticketed for a reason, and that reason is safety."

For more information:

Andy Knackstedt
Media Manager - Land Transport New Zealand
Ph: 04 931 8829 or 021 276 3222