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The Government is investing $3 million to help make State Highways on key tourist routes in Otago, Southland and the West Coast safer this summer, Associate Transport Minister Craig Foss says.

“About $1 million will be spent in each region on road safety works such as no-passing lines, 'keep left' arrows, rest area and curve sign upgrades, and new safety barriers,” Mr Foss says.

The improvements are part of the Visiting Drivers Project’s $15 million road safety engineering programme announced in October.

Simple mistakes on our roads are costing too many lives, Associate Transport Minister Craig Foss says.

“Sadly and frustratingly, 308 mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, aunties, uncles, cousins and friends have died on our roads so far this year,” Mr Foss says.

“Speed and alcohol continue to be major contributing factors. Last year, 90 people died in crashes involving alcohol and 101 died while travelling too fast for the conditions.

Public attitudes to road safety have been put under the spotlight, revealing some encouraging trends as well as some worrying behaviour, Associate Transport Minister Craig Foss says.

The 2016 Public Attitudes to Road Safety survey, released on the Ministry of Transport website today, shows public support for road safety advertising and police enforcement remains high but it doesn’t always translate into safe driving behaviour.

Associate Transport Minister Craig Foss is encouraging boaties to get on board this Safer Boating Week.

“The theme for the week is Prep, Check, Know — prep your boat, check your gear and know the rules before you get on the water,” Mr Foss says.

“Labour Weekend, the traditional start of the recreational boating season, is right around the corner so now is the perfect time to make sure you’re prepared.

A $15 million road safety engineering programme designed to help keep all road users safe on key tourist routes in the South Island has got the green light, Associate Transport Minister Craig Foss says.

The funding is part of the $25 million road safety package for visiting drivers announced by the Government late last year.  

“We want all visiting drivers to experience New Zealand as a safe, attractive and accessible place,” Mr Foss says.