New Zealand’s road toll has been on a downward trend in recent years, with fatalities falling from 341 in 2023 to 289 in 2024. So, what's behind this unexpected trend?
Our politicians and experts are divided. While politicians debate whether lower speed limits or stronger enforcement will have the greatest impact on road safety, the numbers tell their own story. A newly released analysis of speeding trends over the past five years (2019–2023) highlights where the most extreme speeding incidents have occurred. A breakdown of New Zealand’s worst speeders reveals the regions with the highest rates of reckless driving—and what that means for enforcement strategies moving forward.
Autoflip has asked our politicians, the biggest name in DIY automotive YouTube, ChrisFix, and New Zealand’s leading car expert, Tim Warren, to weigh in. Is it speed limits, or car technology that is leading to greater road safety?
The Political Divide: National vs. Labour
Road safety has become a political battleground in New Zealand, with different parties pushing conflicting policies. We went directly to the source to hear what they had to say to us about speed limits:
Hon Chris Bishop, Minister for Transport
"The previous government was obsessed with slowing New Zealanders down by imposing illogical and untargeted speed limit reductions on state highways and local roads.
National campaigned to reverse the blanket speed limit reductions, and we have delivered on that promise.
Safety is a strategic priority in the Government Policy Statement on Land Transport (GPS) and is reflected in the National Land Transport Programme 2024-27 investment.
Our government is focused on improving road safety through road policing and enforcement, investment in new and safe infrastructure, and targeting the leading contributors to fatal crashes, such as drugs and alcohol.
Through the Road Policing Investment Programme (RPIP), we've committed $1.3 billion over the next three years to target seven key areas, including speeding offences on high-risk roads and a clear focus on drugs and alcohol enforcement."
Tangi Utikere, Transport Spokesperson for Labour
"Labour's goal has always been to reduce death and injury on our roads. It is an absolute tragedy that we go into every long weekend expecting a toll. Everyone wants that to change.
Over Labour's six years in government, we invested $2.9 billion in initiatives to reduce road deaths and injuries, including $1.2 billion for road policing. We also invested in safer infrastructure, worked to get more people into safer vehicles, focused on targeted and effective Police enforcement, and introduced safer speed limits.
We support reducing speed limits where it makes sense to do so to save lives—for example, outside schools, marae, shops, and dangerous roads.
There are straight and safe roads designed for higher speeds, as well as roads that have been upgraded to include improved safety features, where we agree speed limits can be raised safely. For example, sections of the Waikato Expressway and Tauranga Eastern Link, at 110km/h.
Every death and every serious injury on our roads is devastating for a large number of people – whānau, friends, colleagues and neighbours, as well as our first responders. Government has a key role in helping to reduce that tragedy."
The Global Perspective: 30 km/h Speed Limits
The debate over speed limits isn't just happening in New Zealand. Globally, there's a growing push for lower urban speed limits, with the World Health Organization (WHO) advocating for 30 km/h zones in areas where vehicles and pedestrians interact.
According to WHO, these lower speed limits "protect all who use them, but especially the most vulnerable—pedestrians, cyclists, children, older people, and people with disabilities." Slower speeds reduce both the likelihood and severity of crashes, making cities safer, greener, and more liveable.
However, not everyone agrees. In Bologna, Italy, protests erupted when the city introduced a 30 km/h speed limit across its urban roads. Angry drivers blocked streets, arguing that the limits caused delays and disruptions to daily life.
"The issue is not only getting fined—this law is completely changing lives," said protest organiser Andrea Spettoli. Despite the backlash, Bologna's leaders stand firm, believing the policy will save lives and reduce pollution.
Could New Zealand see similar resistance if stricter speed limits return in the future? The debate is far from over.
The Best Car Technologies to Keep Us Safe
Beyond speed limits, what can keep us safe? The right technologies for road safety are also up for debate:
ChrisFix, The World’s Largest DIY Automotive YouTuber
ChrisFix is one of the world’s largest automotive YouTubers, with over 10.5 million subscribers and 1 billion views. He chatted with Autoflip about his opinion on car safety.
The most important car safety technologies are those that "don't make people reliant on them."
He explains, "I really believe in stuff that makes you want, that makes sure that you focus on the road. So, technology is like lane departure assistance — yes, they're definitely good, but you need to be able to drive and focus enough so that you're not departing out of your lane."
Chris is more enthusiastic about "the technologies that keep you safe but are in the background, versus the technologies that are kind of helping you drive." He cites examples like airbags and anti-lock brakes (ABS) as being valuable because "they happen in the background that you don't notice and it doesn't make you a worse driver because you have them."
While advanced safety features can enhance protection, caution should be made against becoming overly reliant on them.
"I don't know, I'm not a big fan of things that help you drive, because I feel like a person should be focused enough on the driving.”
Chris suggests using the vehicle you would choose for your child's first car as a benchmark. "I would say the newer the car, the better.”
Beyond the essential features, Chris also emphasises the importance of maintaining the car's structural integrity, including the windshield.
"It's not necessarily a safety feature, but people drive around with their windshield cracked, and a crack could cause your car to crumple differently. Making sure the glass doesn't have a giant crack, that's important." By prioritising safety features that enhance protection without compromising driver engagement and by understanding the minimum safety standards to look for, car buyers can make informed decisions that keep them and their loved ones secure on the road.
Tim Warren, NZ Car Expert and Editor of Drive Weekly
Tim Warren Is an AI and automotive specialist, and the editor of Drive Weekly.
"In New Zealand, I don't think our roads are much safer, but cars are much better.
Probably the most important regular change is with tyres. The single biggest component of good braking and cornering is your tyres. If you can do those things, then you can avoid accidents.
There are many safety features called Driver Assistance now. These include lane holding, blind spot monitoring, traffic and pedestrian cross detection, automatic brakes, and one of my favourites, radar cruise control.
There are also passive things like better airbags, intrusion bars, crumple zones and more. The very best technology is one that prevents the accident in the first place."
The Future of Road Safety: What Happens Next?
New Zealand's declining road toll is a positive sign, but challenges remain. The current government is betting that higher speed limits, better enforcement, and safer cars will continue the trend. Meanwhile, Labour maintains that lower speed limits and infrastructure investments were the real reason for past improvements.
At the same time, vehicle technology is evolving rapidly. Features that were once luxury add-ons—such as automatic braking and radar cruise control—are becoming standard. This means that even if policies change, cars themselves may continue making roads safer.
So, what's the real reason behind the decline in road deaths? It's likely a mix of all these factors: better cars, better enforcement, and better education. The key question is whether political shifts will help or hinder this progress.
One thing is certain—no one wants to see the road toll rise again. Whether through technology, policies, or driver responsibility, keeping roads safe should remain a top priority for everyone.
