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Summary of submissions
Other issues raised in submissions
A large number of submissions raised issues that were not directly related to the consultation questions, or recommended interventions that were not included in the proposed Strategy. These issues are summarised below.
Road rules
There was quite widespread concern expressed in submissions about certain road rules — in particular, the give-way rule drew criticism for being confusing and dangerous. Another area in which New Zealand's road rules were considered out of step, with regard to overseas regimes, was in allowing traffic to overtake on the left.
One person commented that people needed to be told that the Road Code was just a guide and that everyone was responsible for themselves and what happened to them on the road.
Driver behaviour
There were a number of general comments about the need for a responsible attitude to driving, and that it was a privilege, not a right. One submission said that no-one wanted to identify themselves as the 'owner' of the road toll problem — they always blamed others or the road, rather than themselves. Virtually all crashes were avoidable. New Zealanders would have to accept more responsibility for their driving habits. Other submissions described New Zealanders as 'lawless by nature', or 'naturally competitive' and aggressive.
Cellphones
A number of submissions saw cellphones as a safety risk, and wanted their use while driving banned or restricted to hands-free phones. A smaller number, however, recommended that drivers should phone an 0800 number to report bad driving that they witnessed on the roads. Cellphones were also mentioned as a safety asset for use in reporting crashes quickly.
Vulnerable road users
There were many general comments about the benefits of encouraging walking and cycling. One noted that the current law was unsafe for pedestrians, and that drivers should have to stop when pedestrians were on either side of a crossing, or crossing with the lights. Another suggested a single, uniform safe approach to pedestrian crossings — all should be controlled by flashing amber light activated by the pedestrian (as in Queensland).
Auckland Regional Council referred to the Walking School Bus initiative which had the aim of reducing traffic congestion, and was currently being evaluated.
One submission said that there was no mention of motorcycles, and that new drivers needed to be taught about motorcycles on the road. Another commented that his children's school had a policy of not allowing children to cycle to school because it was too dangerous. This respondent considered that the strategy needed to improve things for cyclists, rather than maintaining the status quo. The Bicycle Industry Association of New Zealand was among those which recommended short-term solutions for cycle safety such as allowing cyclists to use designated footpaths.
Several submissions wanted cycle helmet use to be voluntary. The Christchurch Co-ordinating Committee for Traffic Safety commented that the main strategy document seemed to assume that a decreasing number of cyclists was a good thing. It submitted that this did not sit well with local authorities' desire to increase cycling.
One submission described cyclists as parasites on the roads because they did not pay for them, or know the Road Code. Another thought that cyclists should have to pass a theory and practical test, and be of a minimum age, before cycling on the road. Another considered that cyclists, skaters and scooter riders should be subject to the same enforcement as motorists, and should also have to wear helmets.
Age Concern asked for a reduction in licence fees for older drivers, and supported on-going funding for the 'Safe with Age' programme. Several submissions supported restricted licences for older drivers who wanted to drive only in their own neighbourhoods.
Grey Power said that the older drivers' test was vague and subjective, and that a special regime for older drivers was unnecessary.
Disability issues
The Disabled Persons' Assembly commented that any moves to increase use of public transport would require improved accessibility for people with disabilities to the range of transport available, including large and small buses and the Total Mobility Scheme.
Many people with disabilities experienced frustration and disillusionment with the processes for driver licensing and installing and maintaining vehicle modifications — there was a need for properly co-ordinated national guidelines and monitoring processes.
Failure to provide adequate clear widths on pedestrian accessways might lead to significant unreported pedestrian injury. Building fittings, footpath signs and seating often obstructed the minimum width and impeded access for everyone, particularly those using guide dogs and wheelchairs. In the design and construction of pedestrian environments proper attention should be given to complying with access requirements for people with disabilities.
Drugs
Many respondents thought that drivers should be tested for drugs as well as alcohol. More than one respondent thought that the effect of cannabis and illegal drugs on the road toll should be taken into account in the debate about whether to decriminalise cannabis.
ESR Ltd submitted that New Zealand should have a more proactive strategy on drugged driving over the next 10 years. It commented that the current impairment law was not very vigorously enforced, and that there was no reason to believe that the rate of drugged driving in New Zealand was significantly different from that in other western countries. It would like to see a working group on illicit drugs, medicine and driving set up to make recommendations on measures suitable for New Zealand. It also recommended that research be carried out on the prevalence of drugged drivers on New Zealand roads.
The Distilled Spirits Association submitted that alcohol statistics were overstated because alcohol would be mentioned in the crash report whether or not it actually caused the crash and because, unlike drugs or fatigue, it was easily measured.
Fatigue
Fatigue was raised as a problem in a number of submissions. Several considered driver fatigue to be as big a problem as drink driving, and thought it should be the focus of an education campaign. Some supported the provision of more, better-quality rest areas and said that they should be clearly signposted.
The Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand was concerned at the lack of reference to driver fatigue in the proposed Strategy. The Society was doing some work on this subject and believed that it required attention.
The Council of Trade Unions raised the subject of fatigue in commercial drivers, and recommended a strategic alliance with Occupational Safety and Health.
Car advertising
Several respondents complained that the road safety advertising campaign was being undermined by advertisements for cars that promoted speeding. One considered that such advertisements should be seen in the same light as cigarette advertisements. Another thought that advertising agencies could do a lot more to change attitudes to speed.
Safe Waitakere recommended that national standards be set for vehicle advertising, and that the vehicle industry should take more responsibility for promoting a safety culture.
Overseas visitors
There were several comments relating to educating people who drove on non-New Zealand licences. One submission commented that immigrants drove on our roads without even a basic knowledge of English. Eastern Bay Road Safety Committee wanted rental car companies to provide tourists with more information.
Technology
Several submissions recommended that more high-technology interventions be included in the strategy. Speed limiters and GPS technology were mentioned by one, black box crash recorders by another.
Another suggested a 'smart-card' driving licence that operates the car, debits charges for road use, accumulates demerit points, and is revalidated at a home terminal, from which statistics would be sent to the LTSA.
Auckland Regional Council asked for funding for technology to improve intersection enforcement (videos and red light cameras).
A number of submissions sought to have radar detectors banned.
Public transport
Many submissions saw investment in public transport as helping road safety by reducing the number of cars on the roads. The Auckland Regional Council put forward this view, but said there was a lack of information for planners wanting to develop and implement non-car alternatives.
A number of submissions advocated more use of rail for public transport as well as for long-haul freight.
One respondent suggested provision of a public transport system matching the cost, convenience and weather protection of the car.
Data collection
The Gully Alternatives Information Network asked for data to be collected in a form that would allow a legitimate comparison to be made between the benefits of road and rail safety. The Marlborough District Council wanted more precise crash data to be collected. It submitted that there needed to be a system (e.g. 0800 number) for reporting non-injury crashes, to improve information about sites that had a large number of minor crashes with potential for more serious crashes. It also considered that data on driver fatigue was inadequate. It believed that there needed to be a review of the relevance and accuracy of the type of data recorded on the national crash database. Healthcare Otago called for more robust information to support the targeting of Maori and Pacific groups.
Page created: 16 September 2002