The Transport Agency says it is “concerned” by the performance of police as part of its Road Safety Partnership in connection with the Stuff Nzta.
It comes as police say they have witnessed a tragic start to the holiday period, with 18 road deaths in 11 days.
Assistant Commissioner Bruce O’Brien said he believed the crashes were caused by speed, poor decision-making, distractions and no restraints.
“This has been an incredibly tragic start to the holiday period on our roads and a number of families will never be the same,” he said.
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The deadly holiday period comes as the national Road Safety Partnership, featuring the Transport Agency, police, and the Ministry of Transport, prepares to roll out the next part of its 10-year “Road to Zero” safety strategy.
The plan seeks to reduce the number of road deaths by 40 per cent by 2030, and eliminate road casualties by 2050.
One of the key pillars of the strategy is police itself, and questions have been raised about whether the organisation is fulfilling its role.
The police annual report shows many road policing targets, such as seatbelt checks or breath testing at road side checkpoints, are not being met.
“We are really concerned about it,” Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency chair Sir Brian Roche said in a select committee meeting earlier this month.
“We respect the fact that the police have a number of priorities. But they have, in our view, a contractual commitment that they are required to deliver against,” Roche said.
“It’s one that the current Commissioner of Police is committed to resolving.”