BRAKE sends the message to slow down

This year saw road safety charity BRAKE coordinate the 10th Road Safety Week (17-23 May), which coincided with the New Zealand division’s 10th anniversary.

Road Safety week was and is, sponsored by Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency, and supported by Beca alongside other partner organisations.

This year, Road Safety week focused on speed. Caroline

Perry, BRAKE’S NZ director, said: “Speed is a key factor in all crashes. Whilst it might not have caused the crash, it will be a factor in determining the outcome. Even small increases in speed can mean the difference between life and death.

“When drivers use roads without care for others the consequences can be tragic and horrific, with people killed and badly injured.

“At BRAKE we witness the suffering that results, through our work supporting people affected by road death and injury. It can also mean people don’t feel safe to walk and cycle, actively getting out and about in their community.”

As part of Road Safety Week and its 10-year anniversary, BRAKE hosted a charity auction night attended by prominent fleet managers and corporate fleet safety advocates.

Guest speaker this year was V8 racing legend Greg Murphy – Autosense ambassador and road safety advocate. Greg spoke passionately and engagingly on the subject of young people, high speed driving, driver education and crashes through anecdotal stories.

Murph also took us through his life story as a professional driver and what led to his becoming a road safety commentator/ advocate.

Driving is the most dangerous thing most of us do on a regular basis: you’re operating a potentially dangerous machine in an unpredictable, public environment. It requires full concentration at all times.

To find out more about what BRAKE does and how you can support the organisation, visit the www.brake.org.nz website.