Road safety to 2010

Implementation to 2004

The government has agreed to a comprehensive set of actions for the period to June 2004. These are set out in the 2003 Implementation Schedule included with this document, which describes what needs to be achieved, and when, in order to build on the considerable work already done. This package will contribute to efforts to reduce deaths and hospitalisations to no more than 400 deaths annually and 5,870 hospitalisations annually by 2004.

Highlights of the plan include:

implementing voluntary high–quality safety management systems, initially in about 20 road controlling authorities, to ensure road users enjoy the safest possible road environment
setting performance measures for the road network, evaluating the safety gains resulting from all roading investment, and making the Crash Analysis System available online for all relevant roading managers
developing innovative, low–cost safety engineering solutions on the state highway network by trialling installation of median cable barriers to separate traffic flow and clearance of roadside hazards
working with local authorities to review road safety processes, and developing planning guidelines to help in devolving road safety strategy onto a regional footing
continuing the current road policing strategies and providing additional resources to target heavy vehicle safety, complete the implementation of rural compulsory breath testing programmes, and increase the policing of Auckland’s motorway system
upgrading Police capability through additional equipment including booze buses, marked and unmarked road policing vehicles, laser speed detectors and radar (to update the Police radar stock)
developing the ‘safe routes’ approach to promoting a safer road environment for pedestrians and cyclists in high–risk communities
developing a comprehensive framework to improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists, in association with a broader national strategy for walking and cycling
widening road safety advertising beyond speeding, drink–driving and safety belts to include a ‘failure
to give way’ programme targeting high–risk intersection behaviour
implementing a ‘novice driver’ pilot programme to test potential changes to the graduated driver licensing system for novice drivers, and encouraging parents and caregivers to help novice drivers gain more and better experience
expanding the RoadSense — Ata Haere programme for primary and intermediate schools, which integrates road safety education into the everyday curriculum
reinvesting in the Community Road Safety Programme, which takes road safety to all New Zealanders.

This package will take us to where we want to be in 2004, and lay the groundwork for our 2010 road safety goals. Subsequent implementation schedules will include details of how we will continue to tackle our major road safety problems. New measures will target drink–driving, speeding and serious repeat offending on the roads while we will also continue to improve the safety of the road infrastructure.

Co–ordination

The implementation of this strategy will be overseen by the Minister of Transport and monitored by the National Road Safety Committee, which comprises the chief executives of:

the Accident Compensation Corporation — preventing and managing motor vehicle injury through the Motor Vehicle Account, funding speci.c road safety initiatives, and leading implementation of the New Zealand Injury Prevention Strategy
the Land Transport Safety Authority — regulating and managing road safety, including administering the New Zealand Road Safety Programme, which funds and manages road policing, and safety education and strategic services
Local Government New Zealand — representing 12 regional council areas and 74 territorial and local authorities, whose regional land transport strategies integrate safety into regional transport planning, and local land transport programmes manage the safety maintenance and improvement of local road networks
Ministry of Transport — leading policy advice to government and preparing and managing road safety legislation
New Zealand Police — policing New Zealand’s road network, funded and managed through the New Zealand Road Safety Programme
Transfund New Zealand — managing the National Land Transport Programme, which funds network safety maintenance and improvement on state highways and local roads, as well as walking and cycling projects, public transport and alternatives to roading, and regional development
Transit New Zealand — managing the safety maintenance and improvement of the state highway network through the State Highway Programme.

Theme: Communicating with partnerships

Continuous improvement depends on continual discussion and co–ordination between the various road safety interests. Effective
communication within road safety partnerships helps everyone understand their role in achieving road safety goals. For example,
it is up to the road controlling authorities to provide roads that can be safely used; it is up to each of us to use the roads safely;
and it is up to the Police to take action against those who do not stick to the rules.

Member agencies of the National Road Safety Advisory Group, which include other government and non–government agencies with road safety interests, will be involved in particular initiatives and will
meet to discuss the strategy’s progress.

Wider community and business interests will also need to play their part. At regional and local levels, local government will oversee co–ordination through regional land transport committees and road safety
co–ordinating groups.

Funding

The strategy will be funded from the National Land Transport Fund.

The fund has two main purposes: it funds the New Zealand Road Safety Programme, which the Land Transport Safety Authority manages and through which funding is allocated for road policing, education and support services. It also provides funding for the operation and maintenance of the road network and regional transport services through the National Land Transport Programme, managed by Transfund New Zealand.

Ratepayers will continue to make a considerable contribution to local road improvements. Other government sectors (such as health) and community interests will also provide funding support.

Theme: Making the best use of resources

Effective road safety management depends on careful research, rigorous analysis and actions based on strong, proven evidence.
By researching the ‘risk profiles’ of different roads, vehicles, communities and road users, we can establish the best actions for a given situation. Analytical tools help make sure those actions are appropriate and targeted where they will have the most
impact. Regularly monitoring and evaluating the results allows us to make useful adjustments.

Analysis

Analytical tools will be continually re.ned so that resources go to the right places. The tools will allow future resource levels to be accurately set, ensuring the best achievable safety performance. As far as possible, the analytical tools developed for national decision–making will be made available to regions and communities throughout New Zealand.

Legislation

Legislation (as Rules or Acts of Parliament) provides an important entry point for most road safety activity. This strategy will enable us to do the forward planning that is needed for potential future legislation
changes — for example, to the speed or alcohol enforcement regimes.

Monitoring and review

Improved data collection and analysis will enable us to monitor progress towards our road safety targets regularly and well. We will also be able to assess changes in community attitudes to road safety, and in
the effectiveness of programme management and operation.

The strategy will be reviewed soon after its implementation to .nd out how we can best maintain momentum and build on our performance gains. After that, full evaluations will be done every two years.

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Page created: 17 October 2003