Media Release

ROAD WORKS SAFETY CAMPAIGN WINS AWARD

Winning its category in the inaugural Safety and Injury Prevention Awards 2005 for its Safety Around Road Works campaign has delighted Roading New Zealand and the Road Safety Trust which funded the campaign.

Roading New Zealand won the “Outstanding injury prevention and/or safety coalition category” in the awards which attracted 35 entries.

Roading New Zealand’s members currently contract and/or build and maintain up to 90 percent of central government roading work and around 70 percent of local authority roading work.

“Safety around road works has been an issue which has concerned the industry for many years,” says Roading NZ Chief Executive Chris Olsen.

“The Safety Around Road Works campaign was conceived because our people are worried about the many drivers and their passengers who drive through road works completely oblivious of the risks they are taking when they ignore the signs to slow down.”

Mr Olsen says Roading New Zealand is particularly delighted to win this award because it highlights the professionalism and commitment roading contractors have in regard to their work.

The campaign is two-pronged: mass public awareness identifying the issue and unacceptable behaviour and identifying safe behaviours and their benefits; and education as to why road works are necessary, how they improve our lives and why signs need to be obeyed.

The New Zealand Road Safety Trust funded the campaign which gained support from a wide range of organisations such as Transit New Zealand, New Zealand Police, the Automobile Association, ACC, LTSA, Occupational Safety and Health, Local Government New Zealand, New Zealand Road Controlling Authorities and the New Zealand Utilities Action Group.

Road Safety Trust Chair Suzanne Sinclair said the Trust couldn’t be more pleased with the award.
“ Our mission is to administer funds for the benefit of improved road safety in New Zealand. This campaign is already having an impact on behaviour around road works. Road crews are reporting there has been a change in some behaviour and most notably speeds have dropped. This award is further evidence the campaign was needed and it is working.”

Mrs Sinclair says the campaign is also a good example of how partnerships can make initiatives such as this even more successful.
“ It’s good to see the industry partnering with customers and the community to make the roads safer for everyone.”