Southern District Police are urging motorists to prioritise road safety following a concerning spike in fatal crashes across the region.

In less than two weeks, four separate incidents have claimed the lives of five people—three in the Otago Lakes area and one in Southland. All cases have been referred to the Coroner.

Inspector Craig Brown, Southern District Road Policing Manager, said the recent crashes have highlighted three recurring factors: excessive speed, poor decision-making, and driving under the influence of substances such as alcohol.

“Our hearts go out to the families of those involved,” Brown said. “They are now facing devastating losses that, in many cases, could have been prevented.”

Brown said the impact of fatal crashes extends far beyond the victims and their families, affecting other motorists, witnesses, and emergency responders who attend these traumatic scenes.

“We are urging members of the public to take road safety seriously—slow down, don’t drive impaired, and make good judgement calls. Your life literally depends on it,” he said.

Police will increase enforcement on the roads, focusing on speeding, impairment, seatbelt use, and driver distraction. However, Brown stressed that road safety is a shared responsibility.

“Keeping people safe is a team effort, and drivers must do their part. We also encourage anyone who sees unsafe driving behaviour to contact us immediately—call 111 if it’s happening now, or 105 if it’s after the fact.”