Road safety and better driving behaviour is dominating the messaging by Police this festive season, as the holiday period gets underway.

“That’s because the road environment has consistently occupied the larger share of workloads and concerns by Police throughout the year,” Police spokesperson Trevor Pitt said. 

As the days wind down on 2023, the annual total of motor vehicle crashes has already exceeded those reported for 2022, and the Covid-19 years of 2021 and 2020.

“But hopefully, this year’s total will fall short of the 2019 total of 235,” Pitt said in a statement.  

The highest annual figure of crashes on Rarotonga over recent years was 279 in 2018.

The younger age bracket of 16–34-year-olds have been the drivers most at risk, specifically males on motorbikes.

Four road deaths occurred in 2023, and more than 180 people sustained injuries so far this year – that includes a smaller number categorised as serious.

While alcohol and speed account for nearly all road deaths, the main cause of all other crashes on Rarotonga is carelessness.

Traffic offences have dominated the work of Police prosecutors throughout the year, with well over 80 alcohol-related driving charges laid in court during 2023.

Minor traffic fines are incurred mostly by drivers in the 16–30-year age bracket, for offences related mainly to warrant failures, no annual license, and no mirrors on motorbikes.

“Despite the damning statistics recorded by Police, the slack attitude of many drivers continues to be reflected every day in unnecessary speeding and risky driving, stunting, non-compliant vehicles, and the careless wearing of unstrapped helmets.”

Police are urging all drivers to exercise better care and consideration on the roads, especially during the night hours when people are attending to festive events.

“Do not drink and drive. Organise a sober driver. Families and the community carry a heavy burden in times of tragedy, as well as the stress and pressures on services attending to incidents and the injured.

“Drive safe Rarotonga. Leave the attitude behind and focus on the road.”

Cook Islands Road Safety Council president Brent Fisher questioned how Police got their statistics, in terms of alcohol related incidents.

He said any figures Police had on drink driving incidents could probably be easily doubled.

“You cannot drive around Rarotonga on a Friday or Saturday night without seeing drunks on the road.”

He questioned the number of visible Police, saying the lack of policing was a problem.

“Where are police on our roads? Especially at nights.”  

He also listed the observance of speed as a concerning factor, motorists not adhering to speed limits, whether going fast or slow.

Fisher suggested frustration and alcohol were the key contributing factors.  

Pitt said he didn’t know why Fisher was questioning Police stats.

“This is Police intel from reported crashes. Released under authority of the Commissioner. I don’t go by hypothetical or anecdotal information.

“Police presence on the roads is but one crucial issue. We are guided by strategic tasking and the available resources. At present, we are in need of at least 30 staff.

“Of the 26 reported crashes in November, only four were alcohol-related. The major cause is careless driving.”   

Just over half of those reported crashes occurred between 7am and 3pm, mainly in Te Au O Tonga, he said.

Pitt said, in November, in addition to the road checkpoints, there were 300 patrols to “hot” locations, 263 curfew checks on court-ordered subjects throughout the night, and 176 liquor licence inspections.

“Police are fully stretched.”