Public attitudes to road safety have revealed some encouraging trends as well as some worrying behaviour says associate transport minister Craig Foss.
The 2016 Public Attitudes to Road Safety survey, released on the Ministry of Transport’s website, shows public support for road safety advertising and police enforcement remains high but that it doesn’t always translate into safe driving behaviour.
“While the majority of Kiwis clearly support road safety messages, too many of us are ignoring those same messages when out on the road,” says Foss.
He elaborates that 87% of survey respondents agreed that enforcing the use of safety belts helps lower the road toll but that last year 91 unrestrained drivers and passengers were killed in crashes.
“Putting on your safety belt is such a simple action but it can be the difference between life and death,” he emphasises.
“We all have a responsibility to keep ourselves and our loved ones safe on the roads. This long weekend I urge all motorists to wear a safety belt, drive to the conditions and avoid distractions.”
The official Labour Weekend period will run from 4pm on Friday October 21 to 6am on Tuesday October 25.
