Police have urged motorists to pay close attention to road safety after a series of fatal crashes.
In the Southern District, five people have died in four crashes within the last two weeks. Three of these crashes were in the Otago Lakes area, and one was in Southland.
The most recent crash occurred on Glassford Rd, near Omakau, around 11pm yesterday.
One person was found dead at the scene of the single-vehicle crash.
“These crashes have a ripple effect in the community, affecting other motorists, witnesses and the people who are first on scene,” said Southern District road policing manager inspector Craig Brown.
Brown added every fatal crash also has an impact on attending emergency services personnel.
“We are urging members of the public to take road safety seriously, slow down, don’t drive impaired and make good judgement calls – your life literally depends on it.”
Police said it will be out on the roads carrying out enforcement around excess speed, impairment, restraints and distraction.
Brown said there were common factors in many of the recent serious and fatal crashes – speed, poor decision making or driving while impaired.
“Keeping people safe is a team effort, and drivers have to do their part.”
Police encouraged anyone who sees unsafe driving behaviour on the road to contact them as soon as possible.
