Key Takeaways
- The Bay of Plenty region in New Zealand experienced 33 road fatalities in 2025, with the leading cause of death and serious injury being vehicles crossing the center line or leaving the road.
- Impaired driving, speeding, and lack of seatbelt use are common factors in fatal crashes.
- The region’s scenic roads and increasing number of tourists pose a challenge for drivers, with police urging all drivers to pay attention to staying safely on the correct side of the road.
- The story of 2-year-old Sakura Hall, who died in a car crash, serves as a reminder of the importance of making wise choices on the road to avoid devastating consequences.
- Police are reminding drivers to be mindful of the risks of driving impaired, speeding, and not wearing seatbelts, and to take necessary precautions to stay safe on the road.
Introduction to the Issue
The Bay of Plenty region in New Zealand is urging drivers to make wise choices on the road, as the region experienced 33 road fatalities in 2025. The story of 2-year-old Sakura Hall, who died in a car crash, serves as a reminder of the importance of being mindful of the risks on the road. Sakura’s uncle, Jesse Tamm, is speaking out to remind drivers that their life or someone else’s could depend on the choices they make while driving. The crash that took Sakura’s life was allegedly caused by a driver who was under the influence of drugs, and Tamm is hoping that sharing Sakura’s story will make at least one person think twice before getting behind the wheel.
The Impact of Road Fatalities
Losing a loved one in a road accident can have a devastating impact on families and communities. Tamm described the loss of Sakura as "shattering" their family in a way that he never thought possible. Sakura was a bright and loving little girl who brought joy and light to those around her, and her death has left a void that can never be filled. The family’s experience is a stark reminder of the consequences of reckless driving and the importance of taking responsibility on the road. The holiday season, which is meant to be a time of joy and togetherness, was instead marked by grief and heartbreak for Sakura’s family.
The Statistics
According to official figures, there were five fewer deaths on Bay of Plenty roads in 2025 compared to 2024. However, the numbers are still alarming, with 33 people losing their lives in road accidents. The Taupō region had the most deaths, with 12 fatalities, followed by Rotorua with eight, Eastern Bay of Plenty with eight, and Western Bay of Plenty with five. The Bay of Plenty District Road Policing Manager, Inspector Phil Gillbanks, noted that the leading cause of death and serious injury on Bay of Plenty roads was vehicles crossing the center line or leaving the road. This often results in harming innocent motorists, and the police have seen an increase in Bay of Plenty drivers who have illicit drugs in their system involved in fatal crashes.
The Causes of Road Fatalities
Inspector Gillbanks emphasized that alcohol and illicit drug use can cause poor decision-making and poor reactive response tendencies, which can lead to fatal crashes. Fatigue can also contribute to accidents, and driving impaired and speeding are common factors in crashes. Additionally, a lack of seatbelt use is a common factor in crashes involving death and serious injury. The police are urging all drivers to be mindful of these risks and to take necessary precautions to stay safe on the road. The scenic roads in the Bay of Plenty region, which attract an increasing number of tourists, can be particularly challenging, and drivers need to be aware of the risks and take necessary precautions.
The Victims
The list of those who died on Bay of Plenty roads in 2025 is a sobering reminder of the devastating consequences of road accidents. The victims include people of all ages, from 2-year-old Sakura Hall to 88-year-old Robert William Norman MacGibbon. The causes of the accidents vary, from single-car crashes to multi-vehicle collisions, and from drivers under the influence of drugs or alcohol to speeding and lack of seatbelt use. Each of these accidents has left a family and community devastated, and the police are urging all drivers to be mindful of the risks and to take necessary precautions to stay safe on the road.
The Message from Police
Inspector Gillbanks is urging all drivers, especially tourists, to pay attention to staying safely on the correct side of the road. The police are reminding drivers that New Zealand’s roads are often divided by a single painted line, and some are windy, narrow, gravel roads leading to remote scenic spots. Drivers need to be aware of the risks and take necessary precautions to stay safe on the road. The police are also reminding drivers that driving impaired, speeding, and not wearing seatbelts are common factors in fatal crashes, and that fatigue can also contribute to accidents. By being mindful of these risks and taking necessary precautions, drivers can help to reduce the number of road fatalities and keep themselves and others safe on the road.
Conclusion
The story of Sakura Hall and the statistics on road fatalities in the Bay of Plenty region serve as a reminder of the importance of making wise choices on the road. Drivers need to be mindful of the risks of driving impaired, speeding, and not wearing seatbelts, and take necessary precautions to stay safe on the road. By doing so, they can help to reduce the number of road fatalities and keep themselves and others safe on the road. The police are urging all drivers to be responsible and to take the necessary precautions to avoid devastating consequences. As Tamm said, "If sharing Sakura’s story makes even one person think twice on the road, then her loss might help spare another family from feeling this same pain."