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National | Accident

Police to crackdown over Summer

28 new highway patrol cars will be rolled out in the New Year in a bid to save lives on the roads.

But it's the speed restrictions that Police Minister Anne Tolley says will have the biggest impact on road deaths.

“This is about doing what we know works and we know that speed plays a significant factor in whether you make it out of an accident or not.”

From December 1 till the end of January, Police will enforce a 4km/h tolerance around the country.

During the same period last year, there were 416 serious injuries on NZ roads, and 57 deaths.

It's not only the highway patrol cars that will come down hard on drivers, all officers are encouraged to enforce the new rules.

Police Commissioner Peter Marshall says it's imperative to saving lives.

“Here we are in 2013 and we should be well down in the mid 200s perhaps so we'll see what happens.”

While the speed restriction will only be in a place for a limited period, its success will depend on whether motorists themselves adjust their driving speeds.