Abstract
In October 1983 the deregulation of the freight industry in new zealand began with the removal of the 150 km restriction on road carriage in competition with rail and the replacement of a quantitative road transport licensing system with a qualitative system. The effects of this change on safety are analysed. It is concluded that although truck accidents increased in the year after deregulation particularly on main rural freight routes this increase is not out of keeping with what would be expected given the increased truck traffic associated with the deregulation and has not been sustained. (Author/publisher)