Toll sparks call for more training
AUCKLAND: Motorsport legend Greg Murphy says the appalling holiday road toll shows New Zealanders need better education before getting behind the wheel.
Eleven people were killed on the roads between Christmas Eve and Tuesday morning — four died in the corresponding period last year.
Mr Murphy, who helps run Street Smart, a driver education course, said it was too easy to get a driving licence.
‘‘I’m really saddened again by the situation and the fact that it’s an ongoing issue and we’re not making any changes,’’ Mr Murphy said.
‘‘The stockstandard comments by those that are in high places every holiday period should be wearing thin on all New Zealanders.
‘‘It’s just the same stuff every year — words are not fixing the problem. We need actions.’’
He said the licensing system was archaic and it was time for an overhaul.
‘‘We need to look after drivers better by training them better.
‘‘We need to start with better theory around the road rules, teach people about the physics of motor vehicles, and teach them about safety.’’
There was nothing in the current licensing system that taught motorists why they needed tread on tyres, he said.
‘‘The other thing that isn’t mentioned is the antilock braking system [ABS]. I think probably 80% of people don’t even know what it is or what it does and it’s the first line of defence in driving a motor vehicle,’’ he said.
All cars imported into New
Zealand must have ABS, and last year the NZ Transport Agency made it mandatory for all new model motorcycles over 125cc to have the system.
As well as more theory training and assessment, he said there should be a much bigger practical component to licence testing.
‘‘You should have to do a course where you do awareness training, learn about emergency training, do hazard identification, and learn about peripheral awareness,’’ Mr Murphy said.
‘‘It’s all good spending millions of dollars on updating roads and installing barriers but it’s the ambulance at the bottom of the cliff,’’ he said.
‘‘I’ve tried to talk to ministers and officials about my concerns for years but nothing eventuates or changes.
‘‘The toll that road deaths take on families and communities needs to be considered when decisions are being made.’’ — RNZ