Story: Road accidents

Road toll, 1921–2007

Road toll, 1921–2007

These graphs show the rise in numbers of people killed (top) and injured (bottom) on the roads from the 1920s to the 1970s. The increase can be attributed to more motorists, more vehicles, and other factors such as speed, non-use of seatbelts, and driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Deaths reached a peak in 1973, but declined following safety campaigns and stricter policing. However in the early 2000s, the number of people injured increased markedly.

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How to cite this page:

Nancy Swarbrick, 'Road accidents - Growth in road injuries and deaths', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/graph/20901/road-toll-1921-2007 (accessed 20 April 2024)

Story by Nancy Swarbrick, published 11 Mar 2010, updated 1 Dec 2014