Road to Zero: 50 Years of Saving Lives on New Zealand Roads
A comprehensive guide to New Zealand's road safety journey, the Vision Zero strategy, and how proper vehicle maintenance—especially tyres—plays a critical role in preventing deaths and serious injuries on our roads.
Per Capita Since 1975
in 2024
Lowest Since 1920s
by 2030
2021-2024
Understanding Road to Zero
New Zealand's Road Safety Strategy 2020-2030
Road to Zero is New Zealand's national road safety strategy, launched in December 2019 by the Ministry of Transport. It represents a fundamental shift in how we think about road safety—moving from accepting deaths as inevitable to treating every death and serious injury as preventable.
The Core Belief
"No one should be killed or seriously injured while travelling on New Zealand roads. We have a moral imperative to work towards this goal—to do everything we reasonably can to ensure people get home safely."
What Does the Target Mean?
The 40% reduction target is measured against 2018 levels, when New Zealand recorded:
Key Strategy Components
🛣️ Infrastructure
$2.9 billion investment in median barriers, roundabouts, rumble strips, and road improvements targeting high-risk corridors.
⚡ Speed Management
Safe and appropriate speed limits based on road conditions, particularly around schools and high-risk areas.
🚗 Vehicle Safety
Mandatory ESC (2020), improved crash standards, and incentives for safer vehicles in the fleet.
👮 Enforcement
Targeted police enforcement for high-risk behaviours including speed, impairment, and seatbelt use.
📢 Education
Public awareness campaigns promoting safe road use and shared responsibility for safety.
📊 System Management
Data-driven approach with regular monitoring, reporting, and accountability measures.
Vision Zero & The Safe System Approach
A global movement for road safety
Vision Zero originated in Sweden in 1997 and has since been adopted by countries, cities, and regions worldwide. The fundamental principle is revolutionary: no loss of life on roads is acceptable.
- ❌ Deaths are inevitable cost of mobility
- ❌ Blame the individual road user
- ❌ Focus on reducing crashes
- ❌ Accept "natural" error rate
- ❌ Reactive improvements after crashes
- ✓ Every death is preventable
- ✓ System designers share responsibility
- ✓ Focus on preventing deaths & serious injuries
- ✓ Design for human error
- ✓ Proactive, evidence-based improvements
The Safe System Model
The Safe System approach recognises that humans are vulnerable and make mistakes. The system should be designed to protect people when errors occur.
DEATHS The Ultimate Goal
Safe System in Action: Real Examples
🔄 Roundabouts vs Intersections
Converting signalised intersections to roundabouts reduces fatal and serious injury crashes by 75-90%. Lower speeds and elimination of right-angle collisions are key factors.
NZ has installed hundreds of new roundabouts under Road to Zero.
🚧 Median Barriers
Flexible wire rope barriers between opposing lanes can reduce head-on collision deaths by up to 90%. They're cost-effective at ~$200,000/km vs $2M+ for full separation.
225km installed by 2024, targeting 1,000km total.
📉 Speed Reduction: 50→40 km/h
Melbourne study showed reducing urban speeds from 40 to 30 km/h decreased pedestrian serious injuries by 71% and cyclist injuries by 49%.
Physics: Impact energy at 50 km/h is 56% higher than at 40 km/h.
🚗 Vehicle Safety Tech
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) reduces single-vehicle crashes by 25-30%. Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) can prevent 38% of rear-end collisions.
ESC mandatory for all new NZ vehicles since 2020.
50 Years of Progress: 1975-2025
A remarkable journey of road safety improvement
New Zealand's road safety record has transformed dramatically over 50 years. Despite population growth and increased vehicle kilometres travelled, deaths per capita have dropped by over 70%.
Decade by Decade: The Journey
The decade began with horrific road carnage. Key milestones:
1978: BAC limit to 0.08
1979: "Carless days" oil crisis
Alcohol enforcement begins in earnest:
1985: Rear seatbelts compulsory
1987: Graduated licensing introduced
Major enforcement improvements:
1996: Speed cameras introduced
24% drop from 1980s average
Vehicle safety improvements kick in:
2009: Cellphone ban while driving
32% drop from 1990s average
Safe System approach adopted:
2014: BAC to 0.05 for adults
2019: Road to Zero launched
Road to Zero in action:
2024: Lowest per capita rate since 1920s
Target: 227 deaths by 2030
Interactive Policy Timeline: 1975-2024
Key milestones that shaped NZ road safety
Every major improvement in road safety has been driven by evidence-based policy changes. This timeline shows the interventions that saved thousands of lives.
New Zealand mandates front-seat seatbelt use. This single intervention is estimated to have prevented thousands of deaths over the following decades. Studies show seatbelts reduce fatality risk by 45% for front-seat occupants.
The legal blood alcohol concentration limit is reduced from 0.10 to 0.08 (80mg/100ml). This targets drink-driving, which was responsible for approximately 30% of fatal crashes at the time.
NZ Police begin random stopping of drivers for breath alcohol tests. The perceived risk of being caught increases dramatically, creating a powerful deterrent effect.
Seatbelt requirements extended to rear-seat passengers. Unrestrained rear passengers can become projectiles in crashes, endangering front-seat occupants.
A staged pathway to full licence with learner, restricted, and full stages. Includes restrictions on night driving and carrying passengers for novice drivers—the highest risk group.
From 1 April 1993, all drivers stopped at checkpoints must undergo breath testing. This dramatically increases enforcement intensity and detection rates for drink-driving.
Automated speed enforcement begins with fixed and mobile cameras. Consistent, 24/7 enforcement proves more effective than occasional police patrols for speed compliance.
Imported passenger cars must meet agreed overseas frontal impact standards. This raises the minimum crashworthiness of vehicles entering the NZ fleet.
Hand-held cellphone use (talking and texting) while driving becomes illegal. Targets driver distraction, which is increasingly recognised as a major crash factor.
New Zealand officially adopts the Safe System approach with the Safer Journeys 2010-2020 strategy. This represents a philosophical shift from blaming road users to designing a forgiving system.
Blood alcohol limit reduced to zero (0mg/100ml) for drivers under 20 and repeat drink-drive offenders. Learner licence minimum age raised to 16.
From 1 December 2014, the adult blood alcohol limit drops from 0.08 to 0.05 (50mg/100ml). New fixed speed cameras also introduced.
Setting of Speed Limits Rule 2017 published with Speed Management Guide. Provides framework for evidence-based speed limit reviews across the network.
New Zealand's Road Safety Strategy 2020-2030 is published in December. It adopts Vision Zero with a target of 40% reduction in deaths and serious injuries by 2030.
Electronic Stability Control becomes mandatory for all new light vehicles entering the NZ fleet. ESC prevents loss-of-control crashes, reducing single-vehicle crashes by 25-30%.
Anti-lock Braking Systems required for all new motorcycles entering the fleet. Improves braking control and reduces severe motorcycle crashes.
New Road Safety Objectives document published. 2024 ends with 289 deaths—the lowest per capita rate since records began in the 1920s.
The Data: Deaths & Serious Injuries
Understanding the numbers behind road safety
Road safety is measured in two key metrics: deaths and serious injuries. While deaths receive more attention, serious injuries actually represent a far larger burden—both human and economic.
Fatal Crashes by Year (2014-2024)
This data comes from the Ministry of Transport's Crash Analysis System (CAS) via Official Information Act request OIA-20271.
| Year | Fatal Crashes | YoY Change | Serious Injury Crashes | Total F+S | Top Contributing Factor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 265 | — | 1,734 | 1,999 | Poor handling (109) |
| 2015 | 289 | +9.1% | 1,833 | 2,122 | Poor handling (98) |
| 2016 | 285 | -1.4% | 2,129 | 2,414 | Poor handling (90) |
| 2017 | 341 | +19.6% | 2,409 | 2,750 | Poor handling (101) |
| 2018 | 332 | -2.6% | 2,129 | 2,461 | Travel Speed (105) |
| 2019 | 297 | -10.5% | 2,154 | 2,451 | Position on Road (91) |
| 2020 | 293 | -1.3% | 1,865 | 2,158 | Travel Speed (103) |
| 2021 | 287 | -2.0% | 1,993 | 2,280 | Travel Speed (115) |
| 2022 | 334 | +16.4% | 2,102 | 2,436 | Travel Speed (114) |
| 2023 | 305 | -8.7% | 2,087 | 2,392 | Travel Speed (111) |
| 2024 | 250 | -18.0% | 2,090 | 2,340 | Travel Speed (83) |
Critical Shift: 2018
Notice how the top contributing factor changed from "Poor handling" (2014-2017) to "Travel Speed" (2018-2024). This shift coincided with improved data collection methods and reflects speed's role as both a crash cause AND injury severity multiplier.
Deaths vs Serious Injuries: The Hidden Toll
Road to Zero Progress Tracker
Contributing Factors Analysis
What causes fatal crashes in New Zealand?
The Ministry of Transport's Crash Analysis System (CAS) records contributing factors for each crash. Understanding these factors is essential for targeted interventions.
Top Contributing Factors in Fatal Crashes (2024)
Alarming Trend: Drug-Impaired Driving
🚨 The Crossover
Drug-impaired driving has increased fivefold as a recorded factor in fatal crashes since 2014, while alcohol has declined.
This reflects:
- Better roadside drug testing capabilities
- Increased drug use in the population
- Success of drink-driving campaigns
- Combination drug/alcohol use
Source: MoT OIA-20271 Response, 2025
Factor Definitions
Speed: The Dominant Factor
Why speed appears in 33% of fatal crashes
Speed is unique among crash factors because it affects BOTH the probability of a crash AND the severity of injuries when crashes occur. This dual role makes speed management the single most effective intervention available.
🎯 Crash Probability
Higher speeds mean:
- Less time to react to hazards
- Longer stopping distances
- Reduced field of vision (tunnel effect)
- More difficult vehicle control
- Greater consequences of errors
💥 Injury Severity
Impact energy increases with the square of speed:
- 50 km/h = 2.25× the energy of 30 km/h
- 100 km/h = 4× the energy of 50 km/h
- Human body has limited tolerance
- Even modern vehicles can't protect at high speeds
Human Survivability Thresholds
Research shows clear speed thresholds for human survival in different crash types:
Stopping Distance Reality
Most drivers dramatically underestimate stopping distances. Here's the reality:
| Speed | Reaction Distance | Braking Distance | Total (Dry) | Total (Wet) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50 km/h | 14m | 14m | 28m | 35m |
| 60 km/h | 17m | 20m | 37m | 47m |
| 80 km/h | 22m | 36m | 58m | 73m |
| 100 km/h | 28m | 56m | 84m | 105m |
| 110 km/h | 31m | 68m | 99m | 124m |
Based on 1.0s reaction time, average vehicle braking performance, good tyres (1.0g dry, 0.8g wet). Poor tyres or conditions will significantly increase distances.
The Physics of Road Safety
Understanding the science that determines life or death
Road safety isn't just policy—it's physics. Understanding the forces involved in crashes helps explain why certain interventions work and why some crashes are survivable while others aren't.
The Three Collisions
Every vehicle crash actually involves three separate collisions:
1️⃣ Vehicle Collision
The vehicle strikes an object and decelerates. Crumple zones absorb energy by deforming in a controlled manner.
Modern vehicles can absorb significant energy, but only up to design limits.
2️⃣ Human Collision
The occupant continues moving until stopped by seatbelt, airbag, or interior surfaces. This is where restraints save lives.
Unrestrained occupants become projectiles.
3️⃣ Internal Collision
Internal organs continue moving and impact the body cavity. The brain, heart, and liver are particularly vulnerable.
This is why high-speed crashes can cause fatal injuries even with perfect restraint use.
Force = Mass × Acceleration (Deceleration)
Why Crumple Zones Work
A rigid vehicle would stop almost instantly in a collision, subjecting occupants to enormous G-forces. By crumpling over ~0.5 metres, a modern car extends stopping time from milliseconds to hundreds of milliseconds, dramatically reducing forces.
Tyre Physics: Where Rubber Meets Road
Your tyres are the ONLY contact between your vehicle and the road. Four contact patches, each roughly the size of your palm, are responsible for:
The Friction Circle
Your tyres have a finite amount of grip available. This grip can be used for braking, steering, or acceleration—but the total is limited. If you're using 80% of available grip for braking, you only have 20% left for steering. This is why emergency braking while turning often results in loss of control.
Tread Depth: The 1.5mm Reality
Tyre tread exists to channel water away from the contact patch. As tread wears, this ability diminishes:
- ⚠️ 40% longer wet braking distance
- ⚠️ Aquaplaning starts at 70 km/h
- ⚠️ Reduced steering response
- ⚠️ Passes WOF but compromised safety
- ✓ Full wet braking performance
- ✓ Aquaplaning resistance to 100+ km/h
- ✓ Responsive steering in rain
- ✓ Safety margin for NZ conditions
Tyres & Road Safety: Your Critical Connection
How tyre maintenance directly affects crash outcomes
Tyres are the most underappreciated safety component on any vehicle. They're the foundation of the Safe Vehicle pillar in the Safe System—yet many drivers ignore them until something goes wrong.
Each roughly the size of your palm
The difference between stopping and crashing
How Tyres Affect Each Safe System Pillar
🛣️ Safe Roads
Road surface type directly affects tyre performance. Chip seal, asphalt, concrete, gravel—each requires different tyre characteristics. All-terrain and mud-terrain tyres are designed for varying surfaces.
All-Terrain Guide →⚡ Safe Speeds
Tyres have speed ratings indicating maximum safe speed. Using tyres with inadequate ratings risks catastrophic failure. Your tyre choice should match how you drive.
Speed Rating Guide →🚗 Safe Vehicles
Proper tyre maintenance is essential for vehicle safety systems to work. ABS, ESC, and traction control all rely on adequate tyre grip. Worn tyres compromise these systems.
WOF Requirements →👤 Safe Road Users
Choosing appropriate tyres for your conditions shows road safety awareness. Understanding tyre limits helps drivers make safer decisions about speed and conditions.
Tyre Care Guide →The Tyre Safety Triangle
Tyre-Related Crash Factors
While tyres aren't tracked as a separate crash factor in NZ data, they contribute to several recorded factors:
| Recorded Factor | How Tyres Contribute | Prevention |
|---|---|---|
| Poor Handling | Inadequate grip, improper inflation, uneven wear affecting stability | Regular rotation, proper inflation, matching tyres on axle |
| Position on Road | Loss of control on curves due to worn tread, aquaplaning | Replace at 3mm, appropriate tyres for conditions |
| Travel Speed | Speed exceeding tyre capability for conditions | Correct speed rating, condition-appropriate speed |
| Vehicle Defect | Tyre blowout, separation, bead failure | Regular inspection, DOT age check, quality tyres |
Check Your Tyres Now
Use our free tools to assess your tyre safety
WOF Tyre Requirements
What you need to pass Warrant of Fitness
The Warrant of Fitness (WOF) inspection includes specific tyre requirements. Understanding these helps you stay compliant—and more importantly, safe.
📏 Tread Depth Requirements
- Standard tyres: Minimum 1.5mm in all principal grooves around entire circumference
- Winter tyres: Minimum 4mm if winter tyres are fitted
- Measurement: Use tread wear indicators (TWI) or depth gauge
- Location: Across 75% of tread width
🔧 Same-Axle Requirements
- Same size: Both tyres identical (e.g., both 205/55R16)
- Same construction: Both radial OR both cross-ply
- Same pattern type: Both directional, both asymmetric, or both symmetric
- Load index: Within 2 points of each other
Quick Reference: Speed & Load Ratings
| Speed Rating | Max Speed |
|---|---|
| N | 140 km/h |
| P | 150 km/h |
| Q | 160 km/h |
| R | 170 km/h |
| S | 180 km/h |
| T | 190 km/h |
| H | 210 km/h |
| V | 240 km/h |
| W | 270 km/h |
| Y | 300 km/h |
| Load Index | Max Load (kg) |
|---|---|
| 80 | 450 |
| 85 | 515 |
| 90 | 600 |
| 95 | 690 |
| 100 | 800 |
| 105 | 925 |
| 110 | 1060 |
| 115 | 1215 |
| 120 | 1400 |
| 125 | 1650 |
Tyre Condition: Pass vs Fail Examples
✓ PASS: Acceptable Conditions
- Minor surface cracking (no cord exposure)
- Light scuffing from kerb contact
- Normal wear patterns
- Repaired punctures in tread area
- Different brands on same axle (if same size/type)
✗ FAIL: Rejection Conditions
- Tread below 1.5mm anywhere
- Exposed cords or carcass
- Bulges, bumps, or deformities
- Deep cuts reaching structure
- Mismatched construction on axle
The 5 Focus Areas of Road to Zero
Where New Zealand is directing road safety investment
Road to Zero identified five priority areas for intervention. Each area has specific actions and investment allocated.
Infrastructure & Speed Management
Making roads and roadsides more forgiving when crashes occur, and ensuring speed limits match road conditions.
Key Actions:
- Install median barriers on high-risk corridors
- Convert intersections to roundabouts
- Add rumble strips on road edges
- Review and update speed limits
- Safe speeds around schools
Vehicle Safety
Improving the safety of vehicles entering and already in the NZ fleet through standards and incentives.
Key Actions:
- ESC mandatory (2020 - completed)
- ABS for motorcycles (2021 - completed)
- Promote high-safety vehicles
- Fleet renewal incentives
- Used import standards
Work-Related Road Safety
Reducing crashes involving people driving for work, including freight and delivery vehicles.
Key Actions:
- Work-related road safety guidance
- Heavy vehicle safety improvements
- Chain of responsibility awareness
- Fatigue management standards
- Fleet safety policies
Road User Choices
Deterring high-risk behaviours through enforcement, education, and graduated penalties.
Key Actions:
- Increased drink/drug enforcement
- Automated speed enforcement
- Distracted driving campaigns
- Seatbelt compliance focus
- Young driver initiatives
System Management
Strengthening governance, coordination, and accountability across all road safety partners.
Key Actions:
- Ministerial Oversight Group
- Annual monitoring reports
- Data improvement initiatives
- Partner coordination
- Regional engagement
The 7 Guiding Principles
The philosophical foundation of Road to Zero
These principles guide all road safety decisions in New Zealand. They represent a fundamental shift in thinking about road safety responsibility.
The Paradigm Shift
Traditional thinking: "Crashes happen because people make mistakes—fix the people."
Safe System thinking: "Crashes happen because people make mistakes—fix the system to protect people when mistakes happen."
Regional Road Safety in New Zealand
How different regions compare
Road safety outcomes vary significantly across New Zealand. Rural areas face higher risks due to higher speeds, longer distances to medical care, and different road conditions.
Urban vs Rural Divide
Where 87% of population lives
Where only 13% of population lives
Regional Variations (2017-2019 Data)
Some regions have persistently higher road trauma rates than others:
Based on traffic injury mortality rates per 100,000 population. Higher rates in rural regions reflect road network characteristics, not driver behaviour alone.
Waikato Focus: 20%+ of National Trauma
Demographic Variations
👤 By Gender
Males account for approximately 70% of road deaths. The rate for males is 2-3 times higher than for females across all age groups and ethnicities.
Higher risk-taking behaviour and greater exposure (more km driven) are contributing factors.
🏷️ By Ethnicity
Māori have the highest traffic injury mortality rate of any ethnic group—approximately 15.3 per 100,000 in 2017-19, compared to 7.7 for European/Other.
This disparity reflects broader social determinants including rural residence, vehicle age, and road quality.
Vehicle Safety Standards in NZ
How safer vehicles save lives
Vehicle safety has improved dramatically over decades. Modern vehicles offer protection unimaginable in the 1970s—but New Zealand's older-than-average fleet means many Kiwis aren't getting the full benefit.
Key Vehicle Safety Technologies
The SUV/Ute Paradox
- ✓ Higher driving position = better visibility
- ✓ Greater mass = more protection in collision
- ✓ More crumple zone potential
- ✓ Often newer = more safety tech
- ❌ Higher front = hits pedestrian torso/pelvis
- ❌ Greater mass = more energy transferred
- ❌ Stiffer structures = less deformation
- ❌ Higher = worse visibility of children
The rapid shift toward SUVs and utes in NZ (now ~50% of new sales) improves outcomes for their occupants but increases risk for pedestrians, cyclists, and occupants of smaller vehicles. This reinforces the importance of safe speeds in urban areas.
Impairment: Alcohol, Drugs & Fatigue
The human factors that multiply crash risk
Impairment remains a major contributor to road trauma. While drink-driving has declined through enforcement, drug-impaired driving has increased significantly.
Alcohol in New Zealand
📊 Current BAC Limits
| Adults (20+) | 50mg/100ml (0.05) |
| Under 20 | 0mg/100ml (Zero) |
| Repeat offenders | 0mg/100ml (Zero) |
| Breath equivalent | 250mcg/L |
📉 Progress Made
Alcohol as a factor in fatal crashes has declined from 17% (2014) to 12% (2024).
Key interventions:
- BAC limit lowered to 0.05 (2014)
- Zero tolerance for under-20s (2011)
- Compulsory breath testing (1993)
- Random stopping powers (1984)
The Drug-Driving Surge
Fatigue: The Hidden Killer
Fatigue is likely underreported in crash statistics because it's difficult to prove after the fact. Research suggests fatigue contributes to 10-20% of fatal crashes.
Fatigue Warning Signs
Yawning, heavy eyelids, drifting in lane, missing signs/exits, difficulty maintaining speed, reduced alertness. If you experience these: STOP AND REST. Coffee and fresh air are temporary measures only—the only real cure is sleep.
Vulnerable Road Users
Protecting pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists
Vulnerable road users—pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists—face disproportionate risk because they lack the physical protection of vehicle occupants. The Safe System approach requires designing roads and speeds that protect these users.
2024 Deaths by Road User Type
~214 deaths
~46 deaths
~20 deaths
~9 deaths
Motorcyclists: 16% of Deaths, 2% of Travel
🏍️ Motorcycle-Specific Risks
- No physical protection from impact
- Two-wheeled instability
- Less visible to other road users
- Road surface hazards (gravel, oil, markings)
- Weather exposure affects rider and grip
✓ Protective Measures
- ABS mandatory since 2021 for new bikes
- High-visibility gear significantly reduces crash risk
- Quality helmet reduces head injury by 70%
- Proper protective clothing
- Advanced rider training
Pedestrians: Speed Is Critical
Pedestrian survival depends almost entirely on impact speed:
This is why safe speeds of 30 km/h in areas with pedestrians (schools, town centres, residential streets) are so important—they're based on human survivability, not convenience.
Cyclists: Growing but Vulnerable
Cycling is increasing in NZ, particularly in urban areas. While absolute cyclist deaths remain relatively low (~9/year), the risks are real:
Our Road Safety Tools
Free resources to help you stay safe
At Tyre Dispatch, we've built a suite of world-first tools to help New Zealand drivers make safer decisions. All are free to use.
The Road Ahead: 2025 and Beyond
What's next for NZ road safety
New Zealand has achieved remarkable progress—from 20 deaths per 100,000 in 1975 to approximately 5.6 in 2024. But there's more work to be done to reach Vision Zero targets.
Current Challenges
📈 Drug-Impaired Driving
Drug-related factors in fatal crashes have increased 5× since 2014. Enhanced roadside testing and drug-driving awareness campaigns are critical priorities.
🚗 Fleet Age
NZ's average vehicle age of 14.5 years means many vehicles lack modern safety features. Fleet renewal programs and incentives for safer vehicles needed.
🛣️ Rural Roads
60% of deaths occur on rural roads with only 13% of population. Infrastructure investment in median barriers and road improvements must continue.
🚴 Active Transport
As walking and cycling increase, infrastructure and speed management must keep pace to protect these users from motor vehicle traffic.
Technology on the Horizon
What You Can Do Today
✓ Check Your Tyres
Ensure your tyres meet WOF requirements and are appropriate for how you drive. Use our tools to verify compliance.
✓ Know Your Conditions
Check weather and road conditions before driving. Adjust speed and following distance appropriately.
✓ Understand Stopping Distances
Learn how speed and conditions affect your ability to stop. Most drivers dramatically underestimate stopping distances.
✓ Choose Quality Tyres
Invest in appropriate tyres for your vehicle and driving needs. Quality tyres are the most cost-effective safety upgrade.
Play Your Part in Road to Zero
Every safe journey contributes to our goal. Check your vehicle, drive to conditions, and look out for each other.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about road safety in NZ
Road to Zero is New Zealand's road safety strategy for 2020-2030, launched in December 2019. It adopts the Vision Zero approach with the belief that no death or serious injury on our roads is acceptable. The strategy sets a target of 40% reduction in deaths and serious injuries by 2030 (compared to 2018 levels), with an ultimate vision of zero deaths by 2050.
The strategy focuses on five areas: infrastructure & speed management, vehicle safety, work-related road safety, road user choices, and system management.
In 2024, New Zealand recorded 289 road deaths—the lowest per capita rate since records began in the 1920s. This represents approximately 5.6 deaths per 100,000 population, down from 20.0 per 100,000 in 1975.
However, serious injuries remain a concern at approximately 2,090 per year. For every death, roughly 7 people suffer serious injuries requiring hospitalisation.
The legal minimum tread depth for WOF in New Zealand is 1.5mm in all principal grooves around the entire circumference of the tyre. For winter tyres, the minimum is 4mm.
However, safety experts (including us) recommend replacing tyres at 3mm because wet weather braking performance degrades significantly below this level. At 1.5mm, wet braking distances can be 40% longer than with new tyres.
According to 2024 data from the Ministry of Transport, the top contributing factors in fatal crashes are:
- Travel Speed (33%): Speed too fast for conditions or over the limit
- Position on Road (31%): Crossing centreline, running off road
- Drugs Proven (29%): Drug impairment confirmed by testing
- Poor Handling (24%): Loss of vehicle control
- Alcohol (12%): Drink-driving
Note that multiple factors can be recorded per crash, so totals exceed 100%.
The Safe System approach recognises that humans make mistakes, and the road system should be designed to protect people when errors occur. Instead of blaming individual road users, it focuses on creating a system where mistakes don't result in death or serious injury.
The four pillars are:
- Safe Roads: Infrastructure that protects users and is forgiving of mistakes
- Safe Speeds: Speed limits matched to road conditions and human survivability
- Safe Vehicles: Modern safety features and proper maintenance
- Safe Road Users: Competent, alert, and rule-abiding drivers
The legal blood alcohol limits in New Zealand are:
- Adults (20+): 50mg per 100ml of blood (0.05 BAC) or 250mcg per litre of breath
- Under 20: Zero (0mg/100ml)
- Repeat drink-drive offenders: Zero (0mg/100ml)
The adult limit was reduced from 0.08 to 0.05 in December 2014. Any amount of alcohol impairs driving ability—the safest option is not to drink and drive at all.
Tyres are the only contact between your vehicle and the road. Four palm-sized contact patches are responsible for braking, steering, acceleration, and load support.
Proper tyre maintenance can:
- Reduce wet braking distances by up to 40%
- Prevent aquaplaning
- Maintain vehicle stability and control
- Ensure safety systems (ABS, ESC) work effectively
- Prevent blowouts and tyre failure
Key maintenance: Check tread depth monthly (replace at 3mm), maintain correct pressure, inspect for damage, and replace tyres over 6 years old.
Rural roads account for approximately 60% of road deaths despite only 13% of the population living in rural areas. The mortality rate is about 3× higher than urban areas.
Contributing factors include:
- Higher speed limits (100km/h vs 50km/h urban)
- Narrower roads with less margin for error
- Unforgiving roadsides (trees, ditches, no barriers)
- Longer emergency response times
- Mixed traffic including farm vehicles and livestock
- Variable road conditions and surfaces
When buying a vehicle, look for:
- 5-star ANCAP/Euro NCAP safety rating (most important)
- Electronic Stability Control (ESC): Mandatory since 2020
- Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB): Auto-brakes if collision imminent
- Multiple airbags: Front, side, and curtain
- Lane Departure Warning: Alerts if drifting from lane
- Blind Spot Monitoring: Warns of vehicles in blind spots
Check vehicle safety ratings at rightcar.govt.nz
ESC (Electronic Stability Control) is a safety system that helps prevent loss-of-control crashes. It detects when the vehicle isn't responding to steering input (sliding, spinning) and automatically applies brakes to individual wheels to help the driver regain control.
ESC reduces single-vehicle crashes by 25-30% and has been mandatory for all new light vehicles in NZ since 2020.
Other names for the same technology: ESP (Electronic Stability Program), DSC (Dynamic Stability Control), VSC (Vehicle Stability Control).
New Zealand's road safety has improved dramatically:
- 1975: 20.0 deaths per 100,000 population
- 1987: 23.8 deaths per 100,000 (peak)
- 2013: 5.7 deaths per 100,000 (historic low)
- 2024: ~5.6 deaths per 100,000 (lowest since 1920s)
This 72% reduction came from: seatbelt laws, drink-driving enforcement, graduated licensing, vehicle safety standards, speed cameras, road improvements, and the Safe System approach.
Speed is uniquely dangerous because it affects BOTH crash probability AND injury severity:
Crash probability: Higher speeds mean less time to react, longer stopping distances, and more difficult vehicle control.
Injury severity: Impact energy increases with the square of speed. Doubling speed quadruples impact energy.
Human survivability thresholds:
- Pedestrian hit at 30 km/h: 90% survival
- Pedestrian hit at 50 km/h: 20% survival
- Side impact: survivable up to ~50 km/h
- Head-on: survivable up to ~70 km/h
Resources & Further Reading
Official sources and useful links
Official Government Resources
Data & Research
Our Related Guides
Key Documents
| Document | Description | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Road to Zero Strategy | The official 2020-2030 road safety strategy document | 2019 |
| Road to Zero Action Plan | Detailed implementation plan with specific initiatives | 2020 |
| Safer Journeys | Previous strategy 2010-2020 that introduced Safe System | 2010 |
| Setting of Speed Limits Rule | Framework for evidence-based speed limit setting | 2017/2022 |
| Land Transport (Vehicle Standards) | Requirements for vehicle safety compliance | Updated annually |
| VIRM: Vehicle Inspection | Technical standards for WOF/COF inspections | Current |
Stay Safe on New Zealand Roads
Proper tyre maintenance is one of the most effective things you can do to protect yourself and your family. We're here to help with expert advice and quality tyres.
