SOLO-NZ Press Release

Applauding the Government for Cutting Road Safety Funding

March 19, 2009

National’s plan to slash tens of millions off the road safety funding is a good thing, especially if it lowers the ghastly Nanny-nagging on our nightly TV viewing, says SOLO-NZ Coordinator Glenn Jameson.

“There’s simply not enough evidence to prove the ads work. The four years up to 2008 have shown little change in the number of fatal car accidents, and the Ministry of Transport suggests the plunge in last year’s stats could very well be attributed to fuel prices being at an all-time high keeping drivers off the roads,” Jameson notes

“India has fewer road fatalities per capita than New Zealand and it has very few road rules, let alone a relentless barrage of road safety ads. It could be argued that our problem is over-Nannying: Indian drivers are renowned for their chaotic, horn-honking manoeuvres, where their brains are never allowed to switch off; New Zealanders are so molly-coddled they don’t have to think for themselves anymore.

“The sharp historical decline in the road toll could easily be credited to developments in car safety features, and improvements in roads, which is precisely where Transport Minister Steven Joyce wants to spend our money. Allowing that roads would ideally be privately owned and user-pays, surely Mr. Joyce is proposing a far more practical use of our hard-earned tax dollars than sick vignettes of car accidents featuring gambling undertakers and creepy carnival music,” Jameson concludes.

ends

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