18 March 2005

Give Way OK!

Almost one third of all intersection crashes involve the more vulnerable road users - cyclists and pedestrians - and almost half of all crashes involve a driver failing to give way or stop at an intersection.

Take particular care and give way to other traffic at intersections – this will be the key message for all users of intersections during the Give Way OK! Intersection Safety Campaign to run throughout the region from 20 March - 9 April.

As part of the campaign bright red fridge magnets bearing the message Give Way OK! will be placed on car doors throughout the region.

Regional Land Transport Chair Terry McDavitt says the magnets will be distributed in car parks at railway stations, at park and ride facilities, supermarkets, parking buildings, shopping malls, sports facilities, the CBD and the main streets of local towns.

“The intention is that the magnets will be taken home by drivers and attached to their fridge where they will constantly reinforce the Give Way OK! message.”

He says Land Transport New Zealand (LTNZ) figures show almost half of all crashes in 2003 and 2004 involved drivers failing to give way or stop at intersections.

“Crashes at intersections are an area of concern at both a national and regional level because, while at a local level intersection crashes have remained relatively static, these have started to track higher than the New Zealand average since 2000.”

Cr McDavitt says the Give Way OK! Campaign is part of the annual Regional Road Safety Week supported by both the New Zealand Police and Land Transport New Zealand.

“This is not a stand alone effort - we support similar campaigns such as the ongoing Take Another Look at Intersections campaign being organised nationally by LTNZ and local City Council programmes which also stress safety at intersections.”

ENDS

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