Speed is one of the contributions to many crashes not only in the Hawkes Bay area but also across the country.  The saying 'the faster you go, the bigger the mess' is literally true. 
The Road Policing Action Plan 2016-2020 emphasises 'that partnerships are crucial and that effective leadership is the key to success in reducing road trauma'.  Road Safe HB works with Police implementing target to risk programmes that includes speed on our roads. 
The message is clear, 'road safety is everyone's responsibility', by reducing speed, driving to the conditions, etc we will together create a safe road network for all road users.

“The Road Safe Hawkes Bay team would like to thank all the stakeholders that they have worked with over the 2013-2014 road safety calendar.  These have included staff from the HB District Health Board, New Zealand Police, Students Against Drunk Driving, Fire & Ambulance Service, Dunstall’s Funeral Service, Directions Youth Health, Health Hawkes Bay, Hawkes Bay Secondary Schools, just to mention a few.

Without the efforts of these groups and organisations we would not have been able to implement the road safety programme that we have.  The key focus for the road safety partners is to continue to decrease the incidence and severity of road traffic crashes across Hawkes Bay.  Road safety is the responsibility of all road users and we all have the ability to influence others on being safe whilst travelling on and around Hawkes Bay Roads.

The road safety high priority issues for Hawkes Bay are driving impaired either by alcohol or drugs, speed, fatigue, driver distraction (cell phone use in vehicles), intersections, young drivers, and loss of control on rural roads.  The 2014-2015 road safety programme will focus on these risk factors in partnership with Police and other road safety agencies.  There has been some reductions in some of the crash risk issues but to ensure the statistics reduce the partners will plan the activities around these. 

Road Safe Hawkes Bay also joined forces with the Road Safety Coordinators and Police from surrounding districts including Taupo, Rotorua, Manawatu, Whanganui and New Plymouth to implement joint activities.  These included fatigue stops, truck health & safety checkpoints and other activities.  It made sense to work in partnership as we share a road network.   The team are currently developing the work plans for the 2014-2015 programme and will continue to work with their partners.

The Road Safe HB team would like to wish everyone safe journeys across Hawkes Bay and the surrounding road network.”

Road Safe HB, Hawkes Bay Police and the HB District Health Board are planning the next HB Youth Alcohol Expo.  This is planned for the 26th-30th May 2014.  The expo focuses on the risks and consequences of driving impaired by either alcohol or drugs and other road safety risk factors.  The presentations include Tori Morrison whose son was critically injured in a crash and describes the sequence of events when she received the call from the Hospital.  Also Jared Thomas describes the evening when his brother Willy, the driver of the vehicle which crashed, killing his friend and himself.  Also Jared is now permanently disabled and the other vehicle occupant received permanent head injuries. 


Click here to see more information on whats happening at the Expo this year!

The project team would like to invite you, family, friends or any groups that you may work with to attend the HB Youth Alcohol Expo.  The presentations are delivered in session times over the week (see time on the invite below), if you would like to attend these please RSVP to Linda Anderson on linda.anderson@hbrc.govt.nz or if you require further information please don’t hesitate to contact me.

Mardigras Event Hire (Queen Street, Hastings) approached the Regional Manager of Road Safe HB and discussed the opportunity of having road safety education information on their vehicles.

The vehicles have been fitted with the ‘text off’ branding that was developed by Helen as part of her campaigning.  Helen is the Granddaughter of Mrs Penman and part of the team campaigning around the risk of cell phone use in vehicles.  We would like to acknowledge Helen for her commitment and her family for allowing us to share their story. 

Road Safe HB would also like to give a thank you Mardigras Event Hire, in particular Greg Gilmour for supporting the important message of Text Off campaign.

Last year Road Safe HB set up a Party Register for people planning a party. Party hosts that registered receive a party pack full of hints, tips and recipes to help plan the event and also the peace of mind that the police are aware of the party should any incidents occur. The Party Register was so popular that this year Road Safe have extended it to include Work and Fundraising events. 
If you are planning a party or event register it now at
www.partyregisterhb.co.nz

Road Safe HB is working with the Hawkes Bay Police to develop an education resource that features stopping distances and how other factors contribute towards a vehicle stopping.  Factors can include the condition of the vehicle: tyres, brakes & shock absorbers; driver distraction and the weather, for example if it is raining.  The resource will be used in a number of environments including schools and also a practical driver safety day for young drivers which is currently being developed.

The legal requirements for Child Restraints is about to change, this will occur on the !st November 2013.  The Road Safe HB team are working on an education strategy to inform the community.  Information can be found on the New Zealand Transport Agency Website.  What the changes include is all children will be required to be restrained in a standards approved child restraint until their eigth birthday.  Please contact me on the numbers provided if you would like further information.

From 1 November the mandatory use of child restraints in vehicles will be extended by two years, with all children required to be correctly secured in an approved restraint until their seventh birthday.

NZTA Road Safety Director Ernst Zollner said the rule change would bring New Zealand into line with the requirements of Australia, and was an important step forward in improving the safety of children on New Zealand roads.

"Children are especially vulnerable to injury in crashes, and the standard seats and safety belts installed in most vehicles are designed to protect an average sized adult. Because children are smaller and have different body shapes, they need more protection to keep them safe in a car. These changes will make travel safer for New Zealand children and they will help to reduce tragic and preventable deaths and serious injuries among our youngest road users."

For further information on the upcoming changes please click here

Winter is considered to be the time between June and August.  Driving in winter conditions brings its own challenges, and being prepared for varying conditions reduces the risks