Our Key Objectives

As a department we have two key objectives:

Reducing road casualties

We are working towards government targets to be achieved by the year 2010. These targets are compared against the average casualty figures for 1994-1998, and are as follows:

• 40% reduction in the number of people killed or seriously injured
• 50% reduction in the number of children killed or seriously injured
• 10% reduction in the slight casualty rate, expressed as the number of people slightly injured per 100 million vehicle kilometres.

While these targets are ambitious, the reductions already achieved are encouraging and suggest that the targets are achievable.

In addressing casualty reduction, we analyse road accident data and identify prominent crash locations.  Road policing resources are concentrated in these locations to enable police activity to have the maximum benefit. 

Whilst all legislation is equally applied, our operational priorities focus on the areas where research has shown activity can have a positive effect on casualty reduction.  This includes:

• Drink/drug driving – a direct safety risk with an antisocial impact
• Speeding – one of the main causes of serious crashes and a primary factor in making the injury consequences more serious
• Seatbelts – wearing of seatbelts significantly reduces the level of injuries sustained when crashes happen.

The department will continue to promote these areas as operational priorities in support of its overall casualty reduction strategy.

Proactively addressing the criminal use of vehicles on the road

We aim to create safer communities by tackling the broad range of issues related to the criminal and illegal use of motor vehicles. These issues range from inconsiderate and dangerous drivers, to drug dealers and criminals who use their vehicles on the road network to further criminal activities.

All of these issues can seriously affect the quality of life within local communities.