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Help your friends and family stay safe on the roads this festive season with the top five gifts for drivers, Associate Transport Minister Craig Foss says.

“These ‘gifts’ are simple yet potentially life-saving tips for anyone getting behind the wheel this summer,” Mr Foss says.

“The Kiwi road trip, a great holiday tradition, often involves travelling long distances on unfamiliar roads.  We can help ensure our loved ones are around for many more holidays to come by reminding them how to keep themselves and others safe.”

Helping your friends and family stay safe on the water this holiday season is the gift that lasts a lifetime, Associate Transport Minister Craig Foss says.

“Taking the boat out for a spot of fishing or a bit of fun is a classic Kiwi summer pastime,” Mr Foss says. 

“But we need to ensure our loved ones come home safe and sound from the beach, lake or river.

“Please, tell the boaties in your life you want them around for many more holidays to come, so they need to:

Associate Transport Minister Craig Foss has welcomed the Cycling Safety Panel’s final report, which has 35 recommendations for central and local government.

“Over the last decade, an average of nine people a year have died while cycling on our roads,” says Mr Foss. “The Cycling Safety Panel was formed earlier this year in response to a coroner’s call for an expert panel to make recommendations on improving cycling safety.

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is currently updating Civil Aviation Rules to better manage the safety risks of the use of remotely piloted aircraft (or drones), says Associate Transport Minister Craig Foss.

“New Zealanders are increasingly using remotely piloted aircraft, so it is important we have good regulation to manage the safety risks those aircraft can bring. The Government is committed to having regulation flexible enough to accommodate the growing use of the technology,” says Mr Foss.

New Zealand will ratify the Maritime Labour Convention to ensure fair treatment of seafarers and protect the reputation of New Zealand exports, Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Michael Woodhouse and Associate Transport Minister Craig Foss announced today.

The Maritime Labour Convention 2006 is an international treaty adopted by the International Labour Organisation.  It sets minimum standards for the health, safety and welfare of seafarers on commercial vessels.

Associate Transport Minister Craig Foss today announced a review of parts of New Zealand’s driver licensing system.

“A lot has changed since the current driver licensing system was introduced in 1999.  The review will look at modernising the system by making it more customer-focused and reducing compliance costs,” Mr Foss says.

“It will consider whether the heavy vehicle driver licensing process could be simplified by reducing the number of heavy vehicle classes and related endorsements.”

Associate Transport Minister Craig Foss says changes to the Graduated Driver Licensing System (GDLS) coming into force today will encourage drivers and motorcyclists to sit their full licence.

Changes to the Land Transport (Driver Licensing) Rule require drivers or riders sitting their learner or restricted licences to progress to the next stage of the GDLS within five years. Anyone who fails to do so will need to pass another theory test to renew their licence.

Associate Transport Minister Craig Foss says the lower alcohol limit for adult drivers will help make our roads safer and save lives.

The limit for motorists aged 20 years and over today lowers from 400mcg to 250mcg of alcohol per litre of breath. The blood alcohol limit lowers from 80mg to 50mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood.

“The lower limit will save lives and prevent about 64 injuries per year, with a reduction in social costs of about $200 million over 10 years,” Mr Foss says.

Police Minister Michael Woodhouse and Associate Transport Minister Craig Foss today launched the ‘Reach the beach safely this summer’ campaign, an initiative led by New Zealand Police.

Last year’s Safer Summer campaign had a great impact with a significant decline in the proportion of people speeding on our roads and a reduction in deaths and serious injuries.

“Summer is a busy time on the road and we want to build on last year’s efforts by again enforcing speed limits and lower alcohol limits,” Mr Woodhouse says.