Abstract
New Zealand's ambulance services strive to cope with the victims of a major on- going health problem that accounts for one fifth of all emergencies attended in this country, ambulance and medical personnel involved in the front line of pre hospital emergency care have significantly contributed towards reducing the mortality and morbidity level resulting from road accident trauma. Although improvements in staffing levels, training communications and equipment over the last decade have enabled the ambulance service to provide more effective and efficient care. The role of the ambulance service in the field of accident prevention is still to be developed.