Road Safe HB Regional Manager would like to acknowledge the outstanding efforts of Jeanette Cooper, Sport Hawkes Bay.  Jeanette is part of the planning team that puts together the Marathon Madness Day at the Regional Sport Park.  Jeanette is seen here cheering the kids on.

The programme is run by Deb Potter (NZ Police) and Mike.  The young students work towards a marathon which is completed at the sports park in December. This is supported by Police, parents, teachers and Road Safe HB.

Well done to the students and everyone involved.

Road Safe HB along with the Police provided a fatigue stop at Vet Services on the Sunday after the Mission Concert.  This is a weekend where people tend to pack a lot into a couple of days then travel home.  A family took advantage of the rest stop. They had planned to stop and swap drivers and said "it was opportune we where there.  A sentiment reflected by many who stopped.

Road Safe HB recently joined forces on a Truck Fatigue Stop with the Taupo Region Road Safety Coordinator Christine Hutchison, CVIU (Police-Commercial Vehicle Investigation Unit: Taupo District and Eastern) Highway Patrol and the Transport Association NZ along with NZTA.

This was held at the Rangitaiki Tavern & Café.  The location provided easy access for the trucks to manoeuvre in and out and plenty of room to 'park up. The drivers where able to take a break from their trip.  The fatigue stop included a light meal and take a 'grab bag' that had slow energy release food.

While they took a well earned break the staff undertook a survey.  This included where they had come from and heading too.  How long they had been a truck driver etc.  This information will be used when planning the next one so we can provide appropriate educational material.

All heavy vehicles where directed into the rest area by Police.  This gave CVIU the opportunity to have an informal discussion with the drivers. Along with an fatigue stop, education opportunity the drivers where also able to have a health check provided by nurses on sight.

Overall this was an a very successful activity and I would like to thank all those involved and the outstanding organisation by Christine Hutchison.

The Road Safety Action Plan group is made up of the regions road safety partners.  These include NZ Police, ACC, HB District Health Board, Road Safe HB, Traffic Safety Engineers from the regions Councils and New Zealand Transport Agency.  By working in partnership with the associated road safety group it is determined that we will reach the overall goal set in the national strategic document Safer Journeys 2020…. “a safe road system increasingly free of death and serious injury”.  Each person who travels across Hawkes Bay roads should feel they are safe to do so.  The message is consistent….  ‘road safety is the responsibility of all drivers'.