The NZ Transport Agency is rolling out a new road safety campaign to reduce crashes on State Highway 29 over the Kaimais.
New signage with a “just the facts” objective is being erected along State Highway 29 this week to replace the former “lifesaver” campaign signs.
NZTA Bay of Plenty state highways manager Brett Gliddon says the new campaign will have a localised and site-specific flavour.
“Rather than carrying a general road safety message, the signs feature facts pertinent to the region and the specific road they are sited on. For example, a sign reading ‘slow down for these bends’ will be located just before bends that have proven to be particularly tricky or have a crash history.
“We’re hoping this approach will resonate with drivers and help them make safe choices on our roads,” he says.
The other signs carry the following messages: ‘Concentrate’, ‘Wandering minds cause crashes’; ‘Too fast down this hill can kill’; ‘Reduce speed in wet conditions’, ‘Reduce speed’ and ‘Stay in control’.
The signs’ messages have come as a result of research into the crash statistics of SH 29 between Tauriko and the base of the Kaimai Ranges.
Each sign has a back-story built around what that research has revealed.
For example, the story behind the “Concentrate, wandering minds cause crashes” message is that poor concentration behind the wheel is a significant crash factor in more than 40 per cent of crashes on SH29.
These back-stories, on pamphlets, will be handed out by patrolling police when motorists are stopped along the highway.
The “just the facts” road safety campaign is a joint venture between the Tauranga and Western Bay of Plenty Joint Road Safety Committee, Tauranga City Council, Western Bay of Plenty District Council, NZTA, NZ Police and ACC.
Devcich Design and Opus have worked collaboratively on its concept and research.
This work forms part of the NZTA’s Safer Journeys strategy which takes on the world-leading ‘Safe Systems approach’ which focuses on four key areas to minimising serious harm and death on our roads, these areas include: making our roads and roadsides safer, implementing safer speeds, encouraging motorists to properly maintain or buy safer cars to help protect them in a crash and lastly it focuses on safer road user behaviours – ensuring anyone on the road has the skill and knowledge to travel safely” says Mr Gliddon.
