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Rail Safety Week is a reminder for all drivers, cyclists and pedestrians to stay alert around level crossings, says Associate Transport Minister Michael Woodhouse at today’s Rail Safety Week launch.

“A near miss can also be seen as a near hit. It’s just not worth taking the risk around level crossings, which is why this year’s focus for Rail Safety Week is on level crossings,” Mr Woodhouse says.

“There are more than 1300 level crossings in New Zealand, and on average, there is a near miss every three days.”

Novice drivers and motorcycle riders will be encouraged to progress to the next licence stage within five years, with the introduction of a time limit on new learner and restricted licences, says Associate Transport Minister Michael Woodhouse.

Under changes to the Land Transport (Driver Licensing) Rule, drivers or riders who don’t move on to the next stage of the Graduated Driver Licensing System (GDLS) within five years will need to pass another theory test to renew an expired learner or restricted licence.

Associate Transport Minister Michael Woodhouse has today announced the timetable for the introduction of mandatory electronic stability control (ESC) for cars imported to New Zealand.

Mr Woodhouse has signed a new Land Transport Rule that will phase in mandatory ESC for all new and used light passenger and goods vehicles entering the New Zealand fleet.

“ESC has been described by the New Zealand Automobile Association and many road safety experts as the most significant advance in vehicle safety since the seatbelt,” Mr Woodhouse says.

Associate Transport Minister Michael Woodhouse is reminding road users to take care and drive to the conditions over Queen’s Birthday weekend.

“As we come into the winter months, driving conditions can get more challenging. I encourage all those travelling this weekend to slow down and avoid distractions so that everyone makes it to their destination safely,” Mr Woodhouse says.

Associate Transport Minister Michael Woodhouse is reminding drivers to keep focused while behind the wheel this Road Safety Week.

“The road is a complex environment and requires our full concentration. When we’re out on the road, it’s very easy to be distracted by a phone, music, or even other people. It’s important to remember that a moment’s inattention can have serious consequences,” Mr Woodhouse says.

Associate Transport Minister Michael Woodhouse is urging motorists to take care over the rest of the extended break.  

The official Easter holiday period finished this morning, with a provisional road toll of four. However, with another public holiday falling on Friday, and school holidays this week, many New Zealanders will still be travelling.

“Another four families are grieving this week, and my sympathy is with them, and all others who have been impacted by road crashes,” Mr Woodhouse says.

Associate Transport Minister Michael Woodhouse is urging road users to slow down and take care this Easter.

“Arriving safely at their destination should be the top priority for everyone travelling on the roads over the long weekend,” Mr Woodhouse says. 

Police will be enforcing a reduced 4km/h threshold over the extended Easter and Anzac holiday period, which will run from 4pm today till 6am on Monday 28 April.

New Zealand’s riskiest intersections are being targeted for safety improvements as part of the Government’s on-going effort to reduce death and injury on our roads, Associate Transport Minister Michael Woodhouse announced today.

“The Government has tasked the NZ Transport Agency and local authorities to identify New Zealand’s 100 highest-risk intersections in order to target safety improvements,” Mr Woodhouse says. 

Associate Transport Minister Michael Woodhouse welcomes the publication of a new guide aimed at improving road safety around rural schools.

“While we can be thankful there have been relatively few deaths and serious injuries near rural schools over the last few years, even one incident is one too many,” Mr Woodhouse says.

Associate Transport Minister Michael Woodhouse has welcomed the appointment of the New Zealand Cycle Safety Panel, an expert group tasked with helping find practical ways to make cycling safer on New Zealand roads.

“New Zealand has seen a significant reduction in the number of serious car crashes in recent years. However, this trend has not been mirrored by similar improvements for cyclists,” Mr Woodhouse says.

Electronic stability control (ESC) is to become mandatory for new and used vehicles imported into New Zealand, with a proposed timetable announced today by Associate Transport Minister Michael Woodhouse.

“ESC has been described by the New Zealand Automobile Association and many road safety experts as the most significant advance in vehicle safety since the seatbelt,” Mr Woodhouse says.

Associate Transport Minister Michael Woodhouse has welcomed the unprecedented response to the latest road safety advertisement from the NZTA.

“Mistakes, is a powerful new ad that helps drivers understand that no matter how careful they are, other people will always make mistakes, and if we slow down fewer people will pay for mistakes with their lives,” Mr Woodhouse says.

Associate Transport Minister Michael Woodhouse says drivers in New Zealand need to continue to take on board road safety messages and take responsibility on the roads so that more people arrive at their destinations safely, after a higher Christmas holiday period road toll than last year.

Seven people died on the roads as a result of seven fatal crashes during the official holiday period which ran from 4pm on 24 December to 6am this morning. This is one more death than the same period last year which was the lowest road toll for this time since 1956/57.

The provisional road toll for 2013 of 254 is the lowest in the last 60 years, Associate Transport Minister Michael Woodhouse announced today. This compares with 308 in 2012, 284 in 2011, and 375 in 2010.

“The 2013 road toll was 34 per cent lower than four years ago and it’s particularly pleasing that 15-24 year olds have seen a significant drop with a 37 per cent lower road toll than in 2009,” Mr Woodhouse says.

Associate Transport Minister Michael Woodhouse is urging road users to travel safely over the summer holidays.

“We are on track to record the lowest annual road toll in 60 years, but we’re not there yet. We still have the busiest holiday period of the year to come so I urge everyone to be extra vigilant on the road this Christmas season,” Mr Woodhouse says.

As at 20 December there have been 245 fatalities due to road crashes for the year, this is 52 fewer than at the same time last year.

Associate Transport Minister Michael Woodhouse is urging drivers to put their cell phones away after a survey of 29,000 moving vehicles found one in every 40 drivers using a cell phone.

The Ministry of Transport survey found half of those using a cell phone while driving had a phone held to their head and the other half appeared to be texting.

Associate Minister of Transport Michael Woodhouse will represent the New Zealand Government at the 5th meeting of the Standing Council of Transport and Infrastructure (SCOTI) in Brisbane today.

Mr Woodhouse will join his counterparts from both state and federal Australian governments to discuss a wide range of transport issues, with a particular focus on infrastructure.

“This meeting provides an opportunity to further develop the relationship with our Australian counterparts, and learn from each other’s challenges and experiences,” says Mr Woodhouse.

Changes that will require children up to seven years old to use an approved child restraint when travelling in motor vehicles come into force from 1 November 2013.

“Children are among the most vulnerable passengers on our roads, especially when they are not properly restrained,” says Mr Woodhouse.

“Seatbelts are simply not designed for small bodies and these changes will help reduce injuries and save young lives.”

Associate Transport Minister Michael Woodhouse is reminding drivers to take care on the roads this long weekend.

“Our roads are traditionally busier over holiday weekends so it is important to take extra care on the road to ensure everyone arrives at their intended destination safely,” says Mr Woodhouse.

“The zero road toll for Queen’s Birthday Weekend this year shows that it is possible to have a holiday weekend without anyone losing their life on the roads, and I hope we can see that again this weekend.

Associate Transport Minister Michael Woodhouse today announced that a planned review of taxi driver safety is underway.

The review will assess the extent that in-vehicle taxi cameras and monitored two-way taxi despatch systems have improved safety for taxi drivers and identify any possible improvements.

“When these two safety provisions we made compulsory in 2011, the Government committed to reviewing their effect in 2013, and we are delivering on that.

Good afternoon and thank you for the opportunity to speak at the launch of Rail Safety Week.

This year the focus for Rail Safety Week is encouraging pedestrians to be safe around train tracks. I’m pleased to see that students from Mount Albert Primary School are involved in today’s events.

Our young people play a vital role in ensuring that the message about staying safe around trains, railway stations and tracks is shared with their wider communities. 

Associate Transport Minister Michael Woodhouse is cautiously welcoming half-yearly data showing a continuing downward trend in fatalities on New Zealand roads.

Provisional national road toll figures show that the 128 road fatalities for the six months to 30 June 2013 will be the lowest six month period in more than 50 years.

Associate Minister of Transport Michael Woodhouse has released a position paper on red light cameras that paves the way for their use at intersections where an evidence-based benefit can be established.

“Red light running is a significant safety issue and evidence suggests that red light cameras could prove an important tool to reduce injuries and save lives,” Mr Woodhouse says.

Children up to seven years old will be required to use an approved child restraint when travelling in motor vehicles from 1 November this year, says Associate Transport Minister Michael Woodhouse.

Mr Woodhouse has signed a new Land Transport (Road User) Rule that will increase the age for mandatory child restraints from the current age of five years old, up until a child’s seventh birthday. Children aged between seven and eight will also need to use a restraint if one is available in the vehicle.