Road Safety My name is Natasha Rodley and I am the Road Policing Manager for the Canterbury District. Road Safety is something we in the New Zealand police feel very passionate about. There is no worse job for us than telling a family that their loved one has been killed in a crash on our roads. At the time of writing this, 38 people have died on Canterbury roads since the beginning of the year. This is 38 too many - 38 families that are forever without their loved ones. We have also had numerous serious crashes where lives are forever changed by the injuries sustained. New Zealand Police is a partner in the New Zealand Government Road to Zero strategy. This is based on the vision zero worldwide approach where no death is acceptable on our roads. One of our key roles in the road to zero is enforcement. This enforcement is focused on crash-reducing behaviour such as speed and distractions like the use of cell phones while driving.
While driving around our beautiful country, why not stop at a new café or park for a stroll to give yourself a well-earned break. Covid-19 has changed the landscape for all of us. We know this can be distressing and distracting, so please be mindful of this when driving and pay full attention to the road. A moment’s inattention can have tragic consequences. On that note, remember to put your mobile phone well out of reach while driving. It is too tempting to pick it up and just check that message while stopped at lights or in slow traffic. You can use the map function but only when in a hands-free cradle and started prior to driving. We want everyone to have a great and safe summer so please make good decisions on our roads. Don’t speed, organise a ride with a sober driver if drinking alcohol, don’t use your phones while driving and take regular breaks.
Speed is the biggest factor that determines injury severity in a crash even if it was not a cause of the crash. Fatigue is a risk over long weekends and summer holidays, with drivers likely to travel longer distances to get to their holiday destinations. Research shows that the longer people spend driving without a break, the greater their level of fatigue.
Regards Natasha Rodley Road Policing Manager for the Canterbury District Page 21
