Make road safety a priority as winter impacts conditions
We are beginning to see more wet weather as we head into the winter months now.
We have had a long summer and as the wet weather mixes with the detritus on the roads, they can become very slippery.
Add to that mix some icy and foggy conditions and winter bring its challenges when driving, especially on our rural roads.
In Franklin, we are continuing our focus on road policing to reduce the number of crashes that cause injuries and fatalities.
We all know how to stay safe on our roads.
We acknowledge that everyone makes mistakes, but it is about making the right choices with our behaviour and adjusting our driving to suit the conditions.
Remember the major contributors to crashes are:
Speed: Research shows us that a reduction of the average speed on the roads is the most effective way to reduce crashes. A corner we may take at a higher speed comfortably can create issues when it is wet. So, if the roads are wet and slippery, slow down and drive to the conditions.
Seatbelts: Seatbelts save lives. Ensure that you are wearing your seatbelts and please ensure your little ones are belted in.
Alcohol: Over the winter months friends, family and colleagues get together at home or local clubs to watch sport or for mid-winter celebrations. A lot of these social gatherings involve alcohol. If you’re drinking, always arrange a sober driver or an alternative way home like a taxi or public transport. The Counties Manukau Road Policing team will be out on the road conducting EBA (excess breath alcohol) checkpoints, and any driver stopped for any reason can expect to be breath tested.
Distractions: When we attend a crash and speak to those involved, it is often revealed that the cause of the crash was a moment of being distracted. Keep you attention on the roads while driving. Ensure your mobile phone is able to be New Zealand Police are telling people to buckle up and put their phones away when driving.
Road safety week is coming up on Monday, May 7 and Police are taking this year’s focus and extending it across the month of May.
‘‘Our staff are going to focus on ensuring compliance around wearing a seatbelt and drivers not being distracted,’’ said Sandra Venables, Assistant Commissioner for Road Policing.
‘‘Road Policing has four prevention priorities around behaviours we know contribute to death and injury on our roads – distracted driving, impaired driving, going too fast for the conditions, and not wearing seatbelts.
‘‘This month we’re going to target seatbelts and cellphones, with all Police being a part of this national operation.
‘‘Almost a third of all people who die on our roads are not wearing seatbelts.
‘‘If they had taken the two seconds it takes to put a belt on they may still be here with their families today.
‘‘In a car crash you don’t have time to hit pause and put your belt on. used hand free if you need to ‘‘It’s something you need to do as soon have it on but pull over and as you get in your car. stop while you dial the num‘‘The other thing we see too much of is ber. distracted driving,’’ Venables said.
Fatigue: If you are driving ‘‘When you’re driving, your focus long distances take regular should be on driving. breaks. A short stop or break ‘‘Nothing else. in the trip is safer than ‘‘Too many people are dying on our pressing on if you are tired. It roads. takes more energy to focus ‘‘Lives are being lost which could have when the weather is bad and been saved. driving conditions are tough. ‘‘Our staff will be out there patrolling Road policing is all of our resevery day, as they always are. ponsibility. ‘‘As a driver, you are responsible for
Let’s not be complacent and everyone in the car getting to your destitake it seriously. nation safely, so focus on the task at hand,’’
Too many of our people die Venables said. on our roads - a statistic we can all contribute to changing.