AA sets out its election wish list
With the election just a week or so away, the AA says addressing these 10 issues would improve road safety.
The Automobile Association has developed its 2017 Election Calls – a series of 10 actions it wants all political parties to commit to in an effort to improve the safety and efficiency of New Zealand’s roads.
These calls have been developed in consultation with the AA’s district and national councils, and are supported by AA member research that has included 27 member surveys, says the organisation. The calls are largely focused on road safety, with the AA particularly advocating for action on seatbelt wearing, and drug and drink driving. But it also includes appeals for more disclosure of fuel pricing and more work to reduce traffic congestion. ‘‘New Zealanders want a transport system that is safe, effective and affordable, with choices in the way we travel,’’ says general manager of motoring affairs Mike Noon.
‘‘The AA regularly surveys its one million-plus members and consults with a wide range of people working in the transport sector. This has guided the calls we want politicians to act on over the coming three years. We believe all these actions are achievable, and together will help give Kiwis a safer, better transport network.’’
The following are the AA’s 10 Election Calls:
Get more people wearing seatbelts
While most New Zealanders always wear their seatbelt, there are still people who don’t. From 2012-16 an average of 73 people who died in road crashes each year were not wearing a seatbelt. This number has been increasing and reached 100 in 2016, which was 42 per cent of all people who died in vehicles that year. The AA wants authorities to make wearing seatbelts a road safety priority.
Break down the drugged driving habit
Studies in New Zealand have found about one in three drivers in fatal and serious injury crashes had some type of drug in their system – mainly cannabis. New Zealand has higher rates of drug use than many other countries, yet very little is being done to detect and catch people who are driving drugged and putting lives at risk. The AA wants police to have access to roadside drug testing devices like those in Australia, and more public education campaigns.
Lock down on drink drivers
Half of the drink drivers appearing in court are repeat offenders, and traditional sanctions are not stopping them. This is costing lives, with 30 per cent of fatal crashes and 12 per cent of injury crashes in 2015 involving a drink driver. The AA wants more use of alcohol interlocks – a breathtesting device that prevents a vehicle starting if alcohol is detected.
Create more safe passing opportunities
One of the greatest frustrations that people have on the roads is feeling held up by slow vehicles ahead of them. Tailgating, people speeding up at passing lanes, and slow drivers are among the biggest annoyances. People also get very concerned when they see another driver making a risky overtaking manoeuvre. The AA wants authorities to implement a national passing and overtaking strategy to guide the development of more safe passing opportunities and places where slower vehicles can let others pass.
Lift the safety standard of regional roads
About 39 per cent of New Zealand’s state highway network has a 2-star safety rating as assessed by KiwiRAP (NZ Road Assessment Programme). From 2011-15 there were 1652 serious injuries and deaths on these 2-star roads. The AA wants authorities to commit to further upgrades to lift the standard of key roads that have poor safety ratings – it wants 150km of 2-star roading lifted to 3-star standard every year.
National roll-out of the visitor driver programme
Visiting drivers are a rapidly growing segment of road users. While only about 6 per cent of crashes involve visiting drivers, these incidents generate high media profile and public discussion. The AA wants initiatives to help visiting drivers rolled out on tourist routes nationwide, including tourist arrows, more rumble strips and yellow no-passing lanes, barriers on high-risk sections of road, better signage about rest areas, more passing opportunities, and education about safe driving practices.
More red light cameras in our cities
More than 300 people are inured and two killed each year from crashes caused by running a red light. But red light running is becoming more brazen – more than 75 per cent of AA members say they witness red light running at least once a week, and 17 per cent say they see it every time they travel. Consequently, 89 per cent support or strongly support more red light cameras. There are plans for more such cameras in Auckland, but nothing is happening in the rest of New Zealand. The AA wants 10-15 red light cameras installed at high-risk intersections in main centres outside Auckland.
Create a congestion reduction taskforce
Transport infrastructure is struggling in areas of rapid growth, and traffic congestion is the No. 1 concern for Auckland AA members in particular. Congestion is eroding productivity and quality of life in our biggest city, and the widespread public view is that transport officials are not doing nearly enough. The AA wants a specific unit established in Auckland to set congestion targets, monitor and report on performance against them. This would create a blueprint for other cities and congestion hot-spots further ahead.
Advertise vehicle safety information for car buyers
Many people still do not know that vehicles can vary a lot in terms of safety equipment and design. Although ACC uses the safety rating of a vehicle when calculating levies, motor vehicle traders and rental companies are still not required to inform consumers about a vehicle’s safety rating at the point of sale, so safety is often overlooked. The AA wants people to be able to consider a vehicle’s safety features when purchasing or hiring a vehicle, which means safety information needs to be clearly provided at the point of sale.
Display all fuel prices at service stations
Most service stations don’t display the price of 95 or 98 octane people on their high-profile roadside price boards, which reduces price competition on premium petrol. At some service stations premium petrol can cost 30c+/litre more than 91 octane (up to $15 more per fill), which AA members see as price gouging. The AA wants service stations to display the prices of all fuels on their roadside price boards, so that motorists are clearly informed and can compare prices.