How bad is the NZ road toll really?

**Usarka** · 12th May 2010, 14:07

Originally Posted by davereid

We give the road toll a lot of attention... perhaps its because we all blame the other fellow, and its easy to tax and police. But more kiwis die from DIY. 200 a year die from falls alone.

Better make NZ safer, and give the families a ticket.

ACC levies at Bunnings

**SS90** · 12th May 2010, 20:37

Originally Posted by Tank

The funny think with numbers is that people them to reflect their own views.

The speed limit is NOT 130kph in Europe.

In France the Motorway limit is 130 - but the 'open road' limit (being roads like our very own SW1 - being one lane each way for most of it) is only 90kph (or 80 if its wet). In the UK the single carriageway (one lane each way) is 60MPH (100kphish), Even Germany is only 100kph once off the motorway. Spain 90 to 100kph, Italy 90kph. (again on like for like roads).

Perhaps if NZ had motorways like some in Europe (and we never will) - then we could have limits to match - but the upshot is that they just arnt that different.

I have lived here for 4 years Tank (Germany,Italy and Austria),and have covered countless kilometers in those years. About 90% of the countries here have a limit of 130 (on the motorways), and maximum of 100 on the inland routes.

Europe's motorway system is the most comprehensive in the world, as far as speed limits go, the slowest (motorway) speed limit is 90 (Norway), and pretty much every one else has a motorway speed of 120, or 130 km/h.

**SS90** · 12th May 2010, 20:54

Originally Posted by firefighter

Just needed to finish that sentence for ya.

Our limit will never go over 100 because;

A) We have too many retards who would'nt be capable of handling an increase in speed.
B) We have limited roads where you could actually limit the speed to over 100.
C) Our roads are not in as good a condition, or as well built. Before we even thought about increasing our speed minit, removing off-camber corners would need to be done. That costs money.

Granted, the roads here are better constructed than NZ, with out a doubt (but, when it come to road quality, I would say Italy has the best (It's privatised by the way), followed by Germany (free for all cars, only trucks pay), I am not advocating increasing the speed limit, not at all, but I am left wondering if the "evil NZ road toll" is as bad as they would have us believe.

I used to think (because I was raised in NZ), that we must have a bad reputation when it come to road deaths, because it was always in the news.

It would seem that is incorrect, or at least "with-in international standards" (as far as statistics are concerned)

You hear the "highest Easter road toll in 5 years" reports on the news, then, you (later) find out that 3 people died. Last year there was 2.

about 350 people die on NZ roads a year, basically, an average of one a day.

How many people die from pleasure boating per year?

**firefighter** · 12th May 2010, 21:06

Originally Posted by SS90

You hear the "highest Easter road toll in 5 years" reports on the news, then, you (later) find out that 3 people died. Last year there was 2.

about 350 people die on NZ roads a year, basically, an average of one a day.

I agree with everything else you said, but this was a bad easter this year. It truely was a really high amount. We had more than Australia IIRC. (not per capita, in total, that IS bad)

**Whynot** · 12th May 2010, 21:23

I think that one of the main reasons it seems so bad in NZ is the fact that most of the time there is no other news .... so thats all we hear about.

here's some good figures

link

**SS90** · 12th May 2010, 21:44

Originally Posted by firefighter

I agree with everything else you said, but this was a bad easter this year. It truely was a really high amount. We had more than Australia IIRC. (not per capita, in total, that IS bad)

Oh, I see, Shit, that is bad!

**CookMySock** · 13th May 2010, 08:42

Originally Posted by Ixion

motor vehicle accidenst should be well down the worry list. Spend your worry time worrying about the things that are most likely to bugger you. Raod crashes aren't in that list.

Shush! The government is struggling like hell to build a megabuck business out of this, and it doesn't need blabbermouths like you letting the cat out of the bag!

Steve

**scumdog** · 13th May 2010, 18:07

Originally Posted by Ixion

If that were a general concern, Rugby would be illegal.

I don't play rugby.

or snowboard

or

**Smifffy** · 13th May 2010, 18:50

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/motoring/n...ectid=10637354

**schrodingers cat** · 13th May 2010, 19:12

Originally Posted by Whynot

I think that one of the main reasons it seems so bad in NZ is the fact that most of the time there is no other news .... so thats all we hear about.

"Shit Neville - the whole news hour is gunna be full of rugby items unless we whip up some indignation over fuck all. Quick, dust off the old carage on the road story and put a kitten segment at the end"

**Ixion** · 13th May 2010, 19:15

More perspective. From a male POV.

In 2004 (last year I find figures for) 585 men died of prostate cancer. In the same year 292 men died in road crashes.

So ,if you're male, the odds are you're twice as likely to die from prostate cancer than from a road crash

. Don't hear so much about the more likely cause though.Wonder why.

I can't find a figure for how much is actually spent on road safety each year (strange that) . But I'm willing to bet that even a percentage of that sum spent on education screening and earlier access to treatment would knock that 585 deaths from prostate cancer down by a big number.

Worry about what's likely to kill you. Not what's not.