New Zealand’s young road users will have access to an innovative new road safety campaign thanks to a new partnership between the Australian Trucking Association (ATA) and New Zealand Trucking Association (NTA).
The partnership will see the ATA’s life-saving SafeT360 campaign delivered to 16-to 25-year-old road users across New Zealand following its success in Australia.
Developed by the ATA and launched in 2019, SafeT360 uses virtual reality and interactive messaging to teach young road users how to share the road safely with trucks, via a travelling road safety exhibition and comprehensive digital campaign.
NTA chief executive Dave Boyce says the association is privileged to have the opportunity to deliver the world-leading programme in New Zealand.
“Like Australia, 16- to 25-year-old drivers in New Zealand are overrepresented in road fatalities and serious injuries.
“With the phenomenal success of the ATA’s SafeT360 programme we have plans to replicate this success in New Zealand,” Boyce says.
“I would like to offer our sincere thanks to the ATA and their foundation sponsors for making this possible,” he says.
NTA general manager Carol McGeady says the new partnership is “a game changer”.
“To be able to bring this world class road safety program to New Zealand to help our young people stay safe on the roads is amazing,” she says.
ATA safety, health and wellbeing director Melissa Weller says the partnership comes after months of collaboration.
“The team from the NTA have shown their commitment to the programme, having visited and experienced the SafeT360 exhibition in full swing at the recent Brisbane Truck Show,” she says.
“Our one clear goal is to save lives, not just in Australia but globally. We are so excited to see this evidence-based programme expand internationally.”
Boyce says both the ATA and NTA share common goals and values around road safety.
“It’s very exciting to be able to redesign the New Zealand Road Safety Truck to accommodate and install the SafeT360 programme, so we can deliver it to young drivers around New Zealand,” Boyce says.
“This collaboration shows a genuine willingness to save young lives on the road in both countries.”
Weller says the success of SafeT360 and the partnership with the NTA would not have been possible without the ATA’s foundation sponsors and supporters.
“The support of Volvo, BP, National Transport Insurance and Australia Post have been amazing throughout SafeT360’s journey and it is a testament to their commitment that we can now expand the programme internationally,” she says.
*Go to safet360.com.au for more information.
