Zero deaths on New Zealand's roads over Easter holiday period for second time

Tuesday, 14 April 2020

Three people allegedly involved in a suburban burglary tried to shake a police pursuit by taking a joyride going the wrong way along a Wellington motorway.

For the second time, there have been zero deaths on New Zealand's roads over the Easter holiday period.

It comes as the country remains in lockdown to prevent the spread of coronavirus, with all but essential workers expected to stay at home.

There were police checkpoints throughout the country over the long weekend to ensure people were complying with the lockdown.

In 2019, four people died after four crashes over the long Easter weekend. Speed, alcohol and seat belts all played a role in the first fatal crash near Huntly.

* Coronavirus: One dead but road toll down more than 16-and-counting

An officer waves through a compliant motorist at the Amberley, North Canterbury checkpoint on Friday.

* Road death toll for 2019 was significantly lower than last year - until today**

The country had its first recorded fatality-free Easter period on the roads in 2012.

At the time, a heavy police presence and better driver behaviour was credited for the zero toll.

Although there were no fatal crashes during Easter 2020, the long weekend was not drama free.

A motorcyclist seen travelling at 'high speed' in central Auckland on Sunday was critically injured after crashing into a car, police said.

Three people were arrested in Wellington on Monday after a wrong-way motorway joyride after an alleged armed burglary.

Since the coronavirus lockdown began, there have been 1205 recorded breaches.

There have also been 138 prosecutions, 1038 warnings and 29 youth referrals.

The highest Easter road death toll was in 1971, when 21 people died.

The official Easter holiday period for 2020 began at 4pm on April 9 and ended at 6am on Tuesday.