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Driver Fatigue and Distraction in Wairarapa (2021–2025)
In Wairarapa, there's a growing call for drivers—especially young people and tradies—to rethink their habits behind the wheel. With many tradies relying on their phones for job updates and navigation, and young drivers feeling the pull of constant social connection, mobile phone use while driving has become a serious safety concern. Both groups are overrepresented in distraction-related crashes, highlighting the urgent need to put safety first.
The message is simple: Your phone can wait. The road can’t. Drivers are urged to set their devices to Do Not Disturb, use hands-free only when absolutely necessary, and pull over safely if a call or message truly can’t wait. "Ghost your phone"—treat it like it doesn’t exist when you're driving. Beyond the $150 fine and 20 demerit points for illegal use, the real cost could be a life.
Regional Crash Statistics (2021–2025)
- Masterton District (MDC):
Over 70% of all fatal and serious crashes on State Highways involved poor observation or inattention.
This includes factors such as distraction, delayed reaction times, and failure to notice key hazards.
- South Wairarapa District (SWDC):
Fatigue was a contributing factor in approximately 20% of all fatal and serious crashes on local roads.
Long travel distances and rural driving conditions increase the risk of fatigue-related incidents.
- Carterton District (CDC):
17% of all fatal and serious crashes on State Highways involved driver fatigue.
These crashes often occur on longer stretches of road with minimal traffic, where drivers may become drowsy or lose focus.
Note: Fatigue and distraction are often underreported in crash statistics, as they are difficult to identify post-crash. Actual figures may be higher.
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Understanding Driver Fatigue
Fatigue is more than just falling asleep at the wheel. It includes physical and mental exhaustion that reduces your ability to drive safely. You can be dangerously fatigued without even realising it.
Key Effects of Fatigue on Driving:
- Slower reaction times
- Reduced concentration and alertness
- Impaired decision-making and judgement
- Drifting between lanes or off the road
- Difficulty maintaining a consistent speed
Fatigue is a leading cause of single-vehicle crashes, especially in rural areas like Wairarapa. These often involve vehicles leaving the road and colliding with trees, fences, or other fixed objects.
Risk Factors for Fatigue in Wairarapa:
- Long rural journeys with few rest stops
- Early morning or late-night driving
- Shift work and irregular sleep patterns
- Driving after consuming alcohol or medications
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Managing Fatigue: Tips for Safer Driving
- Take regular breaks: Stop for at least 15 minutes every two hours.
- Get out and move: Walking or stretching helps restore alertness.
- Nap if needed: A short nap (up to 40 minutes) can be revitalising. Avoid naps longer than 40 minutes to prevent sleep inertia.
- Don’t drive when tired: If you feel drowsy, stop and rest before continuing your journey.
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Distraction and Mobile Phone Use
Using a mobile phone while driving is both illegal and dangerous. In Wairarapa, distraction-related crashes are a growing concern, particularly on open roads where drivers may feel a false sense of security.
Why Mobile Phone Use is Risky:
- Diverts attention from the road
- Requires at least one hand off the steering wheel
- Impairs reaction time and situational awareness
- Increases the likelihood of missing hazards
Legal Penalties:
Using a mobile phone while driving can result in a $150 fine and 20 demerit points.
Common Distractions Include:
- Texting or calling
- Adjusting the radio or GPS
- Eating or drinking
- Interacting with passengers
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Speed and Fatigue: A Dangerous Combination
Driving at high speeds when fatigued significantly increases crash risk. At higher speeds, you have less time to react, and fatigue slows your response even further. This combination is especially dangerous on rural roads and highways common in the Wairarapa region.
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Holiday and Long-Distance Driving
Wairarapa’s scenic routes attract many visitors and long-distance drivers, especially during holiday periods. These trips often involve:
- Extended travel times without rest
- Increased traffic volumes
- Higher crash rates due to fatigue and distraction
Plan Ahead:
- Share driving duties when possible
- Schedule rest stops into your journey
- Avoid driving during peak fatigue times (mid-afternoon and early morning)
---
Take It Seriously
Whether you're commuting locally or taking a long trip across the region, fatigue and distraction can have fatal consequences. Stay alert, plan your journey, and never underestimate the impact of tiredness behind the wheel.
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For more information and safety resources, visit the official Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency website.
- Slower reaction times
- Reduced concentration and alertness
- Impaired decision-making and judgement
- Drifting between lanes or off the road
- Difficulty maintaining a consistent speed
Fatigue is a leading cause of single-vehicle crashes, especially in rural areas like Wairarapa. These often involve vehicles leaving the road and colliding with trees, fences, or other fixed objects.
Risk Factors for Fatigue in Wairarapa:
- Long rural journeys with few rest stops
- Early morning or late-night driving
- Shift work and irregular sleep patterns
- Driving after consuming alcohol or medications
---
Managing Fatigue: Tips for Safer Driving
- Take regular breaks: Stop for at least 15 minutes every two hours.
- Get out and move: Walking or stretching helps restore alertness.
- Nap if needed: A short nap (up to 40 minutes) can be revitalising. Avoid naps longer than 40 minutes to prevent sleep inertia.
- Don’t drive when tired: If you feel drowsy, stop and rest before continuing your journey.
---
Distraction and Mobile Phone Use
Using a mobile phone while driving is both illegal and dangerous. In Wairarapa, distraction-related crashes are a growing concern, particularly on open roads where drivers may feel a false sense of security.
Why Mobile Phone Use is Risky:
- Diverts attention from the road
- Requires at least one hand off the steering wheel
- Impairs reaction time and situational awareness
- Increases the likelihood of missing hazards
Legal Penalties:
Using a mobile phone while driving can result in a $150 fine and 20 demerit points.
Common Distractions Include:
- Texting or calling
- Adjusting the radio or GPS
- Eating or drinking
- Interacting with passengers
---
Speed and Fatigue: A Dangerous Combination
Driving at high speeds when fatigued significantly increases crash risk. At higher speeds, you have less time to react, and fatigue slows your response even further. This combination is especially dangerous on rural roads and highways common in the Wairarapa region.
---
Holiday and Long-Distance Driving
Wairarapa’s scenic routes attract many visitors and long-distance drivers, especially during holiday periods. These trips often involve:
- Extended travel times without rest
- Increased traffic volumes
- Higher crash rates due to fatigue and distraction
Plan Ahead:
- Share driving duties when possible
- Schedule rest stops into your journey
- Avoid driving during peak fatigue times (mid-afternoon and early morning)
---
Take It Seriously
Whether you're commuting locally or taking a long trip across the region, fatigue and distraction can have fatal consequences. Stay alert, plan your journey, and never underestimate the impact of tiredness behind the wheel.
---
For more information and safety resources, visit the official Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency website.
Ghost your mates - Remove distractions when driving
"Ghost Your Mates” Campaign Launches in Wairarapa to Curb Distracted Driving Among Tradies and Young Drivers
The Wairarapa Road Safety Council, in partnership with Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency and ACC AND Police, is launching a regional push of the national “Ghost Your Mates” and “Have a Hmmm” campaigns to tackle distracted driving—especially among young drivers and tradies, who continue to be overrepresented in crash statistics across the region.
The campaign encourages drivers to put their phones down and ghost their mates while behind the wheel—sending a strong message that no text or notification is worth a life.
“We’re not here to scare people—we’re here to be real, says Holly Hullena, Projects Coordinator for the Wairarapa Road Safety Council. “We know that young drivers and tradies are often juggling a lot—work pressures, social connections, schedules—and the temptation to check a phone while driving is real. But so are the consequences.”
The Stats Behind the Message
According to Waka Kotahi, driver distraction contributes to approximately 8% of all fatal crashes in New Zealand. Locally, Wairarapa has seen a troubling trend:
- Young drivers (16–24) and tradies (particularly males aged 20–39) are consistently among the highest groups involved in distraction-related crashes.
- ACC data shows that distraction-related injuries cost over $83 million nationally in 2022 alone.
“These aren’t just numbers,” says Hullena. “Every crash has a ripple effect. It’s not just about the driver—it’s about their family, their crew, their mates. When someone gets hurt or worse, it’s a whole community that feels it.”
“If you wouldn’t check your phone while using a power saw or standing on scaffolding, why do it at 100km/h?” Hullena asks. “Driving is one of the most dangerous things we do every day, and yet we treat it casually. It’s time to shift that mindset.”
“Have a Hmmm” Before You Pick Up the Phone
The “Have a Hmmm” campaign, developed by Waka Kotahi, encourages people to pause and think about the consequences of their actions before they happen. It’s not about shame—it’s about self-awareness and responsibility.
“We all have a role to play in keeping our roads safe,” Hullena says. “Whether you’re heading to the next job site or picking up your mates, your phone can wait. Ghost your mates while you’re driving—they’ll understand, and they’ll thank you for it.”
The Wairarapa Road Safety Council, in partnership with Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency and ACC AND Police, is launching a regional push of the national “Ghost Your Mates” and “Have a Hmmm” campaigns to tackle distracted driving—especially among young drivers and tradies, who continue to be overrepresented in crash statistics across the region.
The campaign encourages drivers to put their phones down and ghost their mates while behind the wheel—sending a strong message that no text or notification is worth a life.
“We’re not here to scare people—we’re here to be real, says Holly Hullena, Projects Coordinator for the Wairarapa Road Safety Council. “We know that young drivers and tradies are often juggling a lot—work pressures, social connections, schedules—and the temptation to check a phone while driving is real. But so are the consequences.”
The Stats Behind the Message
According to Waka Kotahi, driver distraction contributes to approximately 8% of all fatal crashes in New Zealand. Locally, Wairarapa has seen a troubling trend:
- Young drivers (16–24) and tradies (particularly males aged 20–39) are consistently among the highest groups involved in distraction-related crashes.
- ACC data shows that distraction-related injuries cost over $83 million nationally in 2022 alone.
“These aren’t just numbers,” says Hullena. “Every crash has a ripple effect. It’s not just about the driver—it’s about their family, their crew, their mates. When someone gets hurt or worse, it’s a whole community that feels it.”
“If you wouldn’t check your phone while using a power saw or standing on scaffolding, why do it at 100km/h?” Hullena asks. “Driving is one of the most dangerous things we do every day, and yet we treat it casually. It’s time to shift that mindset.”
“Have a Hmmm” Before You Pick Up the Phone
The “Have a Hmmm” campaign, developed by Waka Kotahi, encourages people to pause and think about the consequences of their actions before they happen. It’s not about shame—it’s about self-awareness and responsibility.
“We all have a role to play in keeping our roads safe,” Hullena says. “Whether you’re heading to the next job site or picking up your mates, your phone can wait. Ghost your mates while you’re driving—they’ll understand, and they’ll thank you for it.”
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