The National Government slashed 73 road policing vehicles in 2009 --- and is still not even halfway toward its target reduction in the overall police fleet, says Labour transport safety spokesperson Darien Fenton.

"With the Government savaging such an important element in road safety, no wonder the road toll started climbing again last year," Darien Fenton said. "Police started the year with 763 road policing vehicles, funded by a Labour Government that was committed to reducing the road toll.

"Police ended the year with just 690 road policing vehicles, or 10 percent fewer than they started the year with. This sends an appalling road safety signal," Darien Fenton said.

"Of course, no one can say that last year's increased road toll --- up 19 to 384 --- was directly caused by fewer police vehicles on the road, but given that in 2008 the road toll actually fell by 66, there's a trend there that gives no comfort whatsoever.

"When the cut in the number of road policing vehicles is seen in tandem with the $50m over three years National slashed from traffic policing in last year's budget, it's even harder to be optimistic.

"Transport Minister Steven Joyce talks platitudes about drivers having to take responsibility for their own actions, and at the same time Police Minister Judith Collins tries to duck responsibility by claiming it is a police operational matter how they decide to meet the $21m budget cut ordered by the Government.

"Answers to written questions Labour submitted to New Zealand Police show that by the end of last year the police fleet had been chopped by 157 vehicles, with road policing the greatest casualty, ahead of administration, CIB, general duties and specialist vehicles," Darien Fenton said.

"But 157 vehicles is not even half the targeted reduction of 340 vehicles that must be met by the end of June. The Government's so-called commitment to safer communities is being shown up as a hollow and cynical promise."