Driver safety training business AutoSense has teamed up with racing legend Greg Murphy to launch a national campaign to create awareness of driving while tired or distracted.
Together they have launched the #EYESUPNZ national campaign that aims to raise awareness that driving while tired or distracted can have serious consequences.
The website eyesupnz.co.nz hosts resources for businesses to help get the message across to their teams that fatigue and distraction are an issue when driving.
There are also videos to share and posters to put up around the office space, social media tiles and key stats and tips to help stay safe on the road.
Fatigue and distraction are major causes of road accidents in New Zealand, with statistics from NZTA showing that in 2018 there were 12 deaths and 155 serious injuries due to distraction, while fatigue contributed to 36 deaths on the road.
“We all know that speed, alcohol and poor decision making are factors in road accidents, but with our lives becoming busier, fatigue and distraction while driving are becoming more of an issue for road safety, with mobile phones one of the biggest distractions,” Murphy says.
He says the campaign aims to “create awareness of fatigue and distraction while driving and encourages drivers to be alert and keep their eyes on the road”.
“I encourage everyone to check out the website and the videos and stay focused on the road.”
AutoSense chief executive Charles Dawson says the Guardian Seeing Machines technology, which his company distributes, provides valuable data on driver fatigue.
“Across 2000 units we see on average 20 drivers falling asleep at the wheel, and 400 distraction events recorded over a 24-hour period.
“We hope this campaign can connect with people and get them to be alert while driving – making our roads safer for all road users.”
The campaign launched on October 22, ahead of Labour Weekend, with extremely positive feedback from the transport industry and general public alike.
“People really liked that the information was delivered in a positive way, with the key messages really standing out,” Dawson says.
“Businesses have asked for more statistics around fatigue and distraction, fact sheets, videos and other resources.
We’ll continue to work on this as an ongoing campaign,” he says.
*Go to eyesupnz.co.nz for more information..
