Take part in Road Safety Week 2018 and help save lives urges charity

Families, community groups, schools and companies are being encouraged to sign up to get involved in Road Safety Week 2018 (7-13 May), to help spread life-saving messages and make communities safer.

Road Safety Week is coordinated by Brake, the road safety charity, and supported by QBE Insurance and the NZ Transport Agency. It's an ideal opportunity for organisations, families, and individuals to take action on local road safety issues, and run activities and campaigns to promote safe road use and prevent needless casualties.

This year the Week will focus on seat belts and distractions, with a theme of Belt on, phone off - make it a habit. Brake will be calling on drivers to make wearing their seat belt a habit every time they get into the vehicle, and to commit to not using a mobile phone whilst driving.

Organisations and budding community road safety champions can find ideas for getting involved, and register, by going to www.roadsafetyweek.org.nz. Everyone who registers will be sent a free email action pack with downloadable road safety posters and resources, plus tips, advice and case studies to help plan successful activities for the Week.

Caroline Perry, Brake's NZ director said: "Road Safety Week is a fantastic opportunity for organisations, communities and families to work together and raise awareness of local road safety issues with others in their community. It's free to sign up and get access to resources to help you run activities and campaigns reminding drivers and other road users of key messages and drawing attention to your local issues. I urge any organisation or individual who wants to raise awareness in their community to sign up."

Harry Wilson, Safety and Environment Director, NZ Transport Agency said: "We all need to play a part in keeping our children, friends and family safe on our roads. Failing to wear seatbelts is appearing as a factor in fatal crashes far too frequently. Many of the lives lost and serious injuries sustained could have been prevented simply by ensuring everyone was properly secured in a seat belt or child restraint. It’s great to see this is one of the key focuses of this year's Road Safety Week."

If you are part of an organisation or group that would like to get involved in Road Safety Week activities, more information is available at www.roadsafetyweek.org.nz.