From 2016 to 2020

• Alcohol and drug crashes in the Whakatāne District contributed to 16 percent, Ōpōtiki 23 percent and Kawerau 22 percent of all crashes compared to the national average of 11 percent (CAS, 2020).
• "Alcohol and drugs" was the primary crash factor in 76 of 100 fatal and serious road crashes. The majority of crashes (60 percent) were single-party crashes and were male drivers. In addition, younger drivers were also over-represented, with 29 percent in the 15-24 year age group followed by 50-59 years.
• Sixty-one crashes were attributed to young drivers, including 16 fatal and 45 serious crashes. Of these, 16 (33 percent) of young drivers held a full licence and 11 (19 percent) held a restricted licence. Seven (12 percent) held no licence
• Lost control/head-on bend (56 percent), lost control on a straight (18 percent) were the two most common crash factors (CAS, 2020).
• A total of 126 crashes were attributed to fatigue, including three fatal and 13 serious crashes (14 percent of the total number of crashes). Of these, nearly a third (36 percent) were either 20-24 or 30-39 years of age. Fatigue (52 percent), poor handling and observation (31 percent) and alcohol (12 percent) were the three most common crash factors (CAS, 2020).
• Two fatalities and four serious crashes occurred. "Poor handling and observation", "speed’ and "alcohol" were the three most common crash factors.
• Three fatalities occurred with people not wearing seatbelts.
• People not driving to the conditions continues to be a key concern with the Whakatāne District contributing to 21% (a decrease of 7%), Ōpōtiki 21% (a decrease by 7%) and Kawerau 22% (an increase of 4%) of all crashes compared to the national average of 17% (CAS, 2020)
• Rural roads resulted in 33 fatalities and 108 serious crashes. Of these, 48 percent were on bends, 65 percent had male drivers at fault and most were spread reasonably evenly over driver age groups.
• Poor handling and speed were the common crash factor in crashes (CAS, 2020).

Tips for good wet weather driving:

• Slow down and increase your following distance to at least four seconds.
• Look ahead 12 seconds for any big puddles. If you’re going too quickly when you hit a big, wet patch your car can lose its grip on the road.
• Watch out for spray from other vehicles, especially larger vehicles. Stay well behind them or drive to the left if they’re on the other side of the road.
• Take special care if it’s raining after a dry spell – when it’s dry, grease and dirt build up on the road, so when it starts to rain again it can be very slippery.
• Try to drive in the tracks of the car in front of you; it’ll be slightly drier where another vehicle has travelled.
• Take extra care at night in wet conditions, as glare from streetlights can make it difficult to see road markings.
• If necessary, adjust your speed for the wet conditions (even though it may be less than the speed limit).