Inspector Ash Tabb, Canterbury Prevention Manager, says many of the crashes emergency services respond to are preventable. Photo: RNZ / Tim Brown
Five people have died in crashes in the South Island in the past 24 hours, leading police to issue a plea for people to take care when driving.
A person died in a single car crash on the West Coast on Sunday afternoon, two people died in a three-car crash on Sunday evening in North Canterbury, and two people died in a two-vehicle crash near Ōamaru on Monday morning.
A baby was among those taken to hospital in the North Canterbury crash, but police said the baby was not badly injured.
Inspector Ash Tabb, Canterbury prevention manager, said any deaths on the roads were devastating, and felt by many.
"Many of the crashes emergency services respond to are preventable," Tabb said.
"We see too many crashes where motorists have chosen to speed, drink drive, be impatient, or let themselves get distracted and take their eyes off of the road.
"Deaths on our roads not only impact the family and friends of those involved but the emergency services who respond, and the public who witness the crash."
Tabb said the message to motorists was simple - to do up their seatbelts, keep within the speed limit, and focus on the road.
"If you're having a big night, don't make the selfish decision to get behind the wheel after you've been drinking. Focus on getting home in one piece. Drive to the conditions and arrive alive."