Simon Bridges National MP simonbridges.co.nz

The end of the year is a significant time for me as Associate Minister of Transport.

Road toll information is finally collated and it showed that 307 people died on our roads in 2012. This compares with 284 in 2011, 375 in 2010, and 385 in 2009. While 2012's road toll is the second lowest in 60 years, it is very sad to see an increase on the 2011 toll.

At least three factors stand out regarding the 2012 toll. The first is that the number of crashes with multiple fatalities increased from 2011. The number of crashes in 2012 with three or more fatalities was 8 (resulting in 30 deaths) compared with 1 (resulting in 3 deaths) in 2011. This is despite the total number of crashes staying reasonably similar between years and the number of driver fatalities actually decreasing.

This is a reminder for drivers of their responsibility to their passengers to get them to their destination safely. But it is also an indication that passengers have a part to play in road safety as well. For example, as a passenger you can support the driver by checking they're well rested and alert, and by sharing the driving on a longer trip. You can also stop friends and family from getting behind the wheel if they've been drinking: let them stay at your place, get them a taxi, or find a sober driver.

A second factor is the increase in motorcyclist fatalities in 2012. The number of motorcyclist fatalities increased from 33 in 2011 to 45 in 2012. This equates to 15 per cent of all road deaths in 2012. I see this as an important reminder that we need to be vigilant regarding the more vulnerable road users like motorcyclists, cyclists and pedestrians.

One brighter note, in relation to young people, last year saw a record low for fatalities in the 15-24 age group. There were 65 fatalities in this age group in 2012 compared with 82 in 2011. In the past our young people have been highly over represented in the road toll. While this number is still too high, I am pleased to see that more of them are taking road safety seriously. Law changes such as zero blood alcohol limits for under-20s, raising the driving age to 16, and introducing a tougher restricted licence test have also played a beneficial role.

Record low holiday road toll

A final positive comes from an encouraging record low holiday road toll this summer. The official period runs from Christmas Eve until January 3 and this season six people died in contrast to 19 people the summer before.

This year's holiday toll shows that drivers have been taking responsibility and focusing when behind the wheel. Yet, every fatality and serious injury on the road is a tragedy for the families and loved ones of those involved. It is important we continue to work hard in 2013 to ensure even fewer suffer the consequences of road death or injury.

The Government's goal of a road system increasingly free of death and injury will continue unabated. But every road user - drivers, riders, passengers, or pedestrians - needs to play a part.

The Government's Safer Journeys road safety strategy will guide improvements in road safety through to 2020. The next Safer Journeys Action Plan, covering 2013-2015, is due to be published in the first quarter of this year.