Make it click for safety, says AA

If the bad weather hasn’t deterred you from leaving the comforts of your home, there are a few things to remember if you are on the roads this Easter.

The Automobile Association is pushing the safety message, especially with the high number of deaths of our roads this year — more than 100 fatalities so far.

“One of the biggest concerns that the AA has right now is the number of people dying in crashes who are not wearing a seatbelt,” says AA Motoring Affairs general manager Mike Noon.

“And 22 of the people who died in the first three months of this year were not buckled up.”

The AA wants people to “make it click” and put on their seatbelts.

“We could dramatically improve our road toll if every single driver and passenger wore their seatbelt every time they got into a vehicle,” says Noon. “It’s the most basic road safety message, and it is a major concern that the number of deaths where people aren’t buckled up has nearly doubled in the last two years.”

The AA also has some tips for drivers this Easter:

Seatbelts for everyone, every time

Always be mindful of people walking or riding

Increase your following distance and slow down if it’s wet

Go with the flow in heavy traffic and don’t try any risky overtaking manoeuvres.

If you have to travel, then check aa. co. nz/ travel/ roadwatch/ for road conditions before you go.

“Heavy rain will likely mean flooding and poor visibility in some areas so it is critical drivers adjust to those conditions,” says Noon.

“The risk with flooded roads is that water can be deeper than it looks.” ABOUT US Editor Tony Verdon Editor at Large Liz Dobson Contributors Cameron Officer, Colin Smith, Jacqui Madelin, David Kavermann, Matthew Hansen, Bob McMurray, Donna McIntyre, Simon Chapman Cover design Paul Slater Cover photoSupplied Driven advertising Todd Fuller ( 021 986027) todd. fuller@ nzme. co. nz