In an effort to improve road safety and reduce the number of fatal crashes, the New Zealand Government has announced a new Road Safety Action Plan. Transport Minister Simeon Brown recently announced strategic measures that focus on better policing, infrastructure, and community engagement.
The government’s plan includes several key actions, such as:
- Increased alcohol breath testing and the introduction of roadside drug testing.
- A review of penalties for traffic offences to ensure they reflect the seriousness of the behaviour.
- Improvements to the driver licensing system for enhanced safety.
- Investments in building and maintaining roads to a high safety standard.
“Motorists and freight should be able to travel around our road network quickly and safely. Improving road safety is a priority for our Government to keep Kiwis safe and increase productivity…” said Minister Brown.
Targeting High-Risk Factors
These new road safety objectives build on the Government Policy Statement on land transport 2024. They aim to tackle the main causes of deaths and serious injuries (DSIs) on the roads.
“Alcohol and drugs are the highest contributing factor to fatal crashes on our roads, and that’s why we have set clear targets to ensure Police are focussed on the most high-risk times, behaviours, and locations to crack down on this reckless behaviour,” said Minister Brown
In the 2023/24 period, over 850,000 more alcohol breath tests were conducted compared to the previous year, resulting in 37 lives saved.
Building Safe Roads for Everyone
The plan includes the construction of new Roads of National Significance (RoNS) and enhanced maintenance of existing roads.
“The RoNS built by the previous National Government are some of New Zealand’s safest roads. Road fatalities in the Kāpiti District have reduced by 71 percent since the opening of the Mackays to Peka Peka section of the Kāpiti Expressway in 2017,” Minister Brown noted.
The Government is investing in 17 safe RoNS across the country to enable Kiwis to travel more efficiently and safely.
New Investments
The Government will significantly invest in new road infrastructure built to high safety standards. They will also retrofit safety features in high-crash areas and increase the use of rumble strips on state highways and local roads.
The government is also enhancing road policing and enforcement strategies, particularly around the impairment from alcohol and drugs, the leading contributors to fatal crashes.
Additionally, the initiative focuses on improving the safety of New Zealand’s vehicle fleet. As of December 2022, 35 per cent of the 4.3 million light vehicles on the road had low safety ratings and were involved in 46 per cent of DSI crashes. The government aims to increase access to safer vehicles equipped with advanced safety features.
Personal Responsibility and Road Safety
Mr Brown emphasised the importance of personal responsibility among all road users.
“While we are prioritising road policing and enforcement to improve road safety, road users also need to take personal responsibility for their actions on the road,” he remarked.
The initiative also aims to engage with communities to foster public support for road safety measures, ensuring that interventions are effective and widely accepted.
As New Zealand confronts the ongoing challenges of road safety, this comprehensive plan aims to implement meaningful changes. These will not only reduce fatalities but also enhance the overall safety of the road network.
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