Media Statement
For immediate release
Date 9 June 2005
Bad calls at intersections are deadly
Make a ‘bad call’ at an intersection and it could kill someone – that’s the simple message behind the latest instalment
in New Zealand’s road safety television advertising campaign.
The new ad, which will air for the first time this Sunday (11 June), shows the dangers of taking calculated risks at
intersections, with a father putting his son in harm’s way after making a ‘bad call’.
Director of Land Transport Wayne Donnelly said he hoped the new ad would make drivers think twice before pushing their
luck at intersections.
“The risks many drivers take at intersections, like nipping into small gaps in oncoming traffic, seem relatively
inconsequential. They may have had close calls and near misses, but they feel they always get away with it - this ad
shows what happens when you aren’t so lucky,” Mr Donnelly said.
Failure to give way at intersections is a serious road safety issue and it is the leading cause of injury crashes in New
Zealand. Last year 2,400 crashes happened primarily because a driver failed to give way – not including those where
alcohol or excessive speed were involved. These bad calls at intersections turned out to be fatal for 31 people last
year.
Most failure to give way crashes involve two cars colliding at urban intersections with 50km/h speed limits – fast
enough to cause serious injuries or even death.
The new ad screens from 11 June and will be supported by radio, billboard and other advertising.
ENDS