Road Safety Week to focus on kids
Associate Transport Minister Craig Foss says Road Safety Week 2015 will focus on some of our most vulnerable road users — children.
“This year’s theme — Look out for kids — is a reminder to all road users to slow down and take extra care around schools, parks and playgrounds,” Mr Foss says.
“Very young children are especially vulnerable on our roads, especially when walking or cycling. In the car, appropriate child restraints are a must.
“Too many children and young people die on our roads. We all have a role to play in keeping them safe.
“I’m pleased to see a variety of organisations getting involved in Road Safety Week, including NZ Police with ‘Giant Walk’ events in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Hastings.”
Road Safety Week starts May 4th and ends May 10.
It is promoted by road safety charity Brake NZ with the support of the NZ Transport Agency, NZ Police, Auckland Transport and sponsor QBE Insurance.
More information about Road Safety Week can be found at: www.brake.org.nz/roadsafetyweek
http://beehive.govt.nz/release/road-safety-week-focus-kids
Road Safety Week runs May 4-10, 2015 and is supported by the United Nations. New Zealand schools and communities are getting support from Brake, the road safety charity. Its theme is Look out for kids. http://www.brake.org.nz/roadsafetyweek
Global campaign
The United Nations is encouraging communities in all countries to join the Road Safety Week campaign. You can find responses on social media via the hashtag #savekidslives.
A campaign website includes a child declaration for the public to sign, as well as suggestions on how to create your own road safety message, and share it through photographs on social media.
#SaveKidsLives (UN website)
Teachers and students investigating road safety at an international level can read a World Health Organisation report on solutions for saving children’s lives on the roads:
Ten Strategies for Keeping Children Safe on the Roads (PDF, 3.79 MB)
From the report: “Every four minutes a child is prematurely lost on the roads of this world… Many of the children who are victims of this man-made calamity are poor. Attempts to address road safety for children are, therefore, inextricably linked to notions of social justice, and should be part of global efforts to reduce poverty.”
The New Zealand government’s strategy to guide improvements in road safety is here: Safer Journeys