I couldn’t help myself. Imagine walking into a room full of suits and learning there are people present who could really assist in shaping change for vulnerable road users. I sat and enjoyed the speeches and presentations of the New Zealand Road Safety, Emergency Response and Healthcare Awards, but it was the opportunity to network, that saw me dive past the food table and introduce the Trust and myself to road safety representatives and decision makers.
I was on a mission. This wasn’t a mundane outing for me. One it costs a lot now to drive anywhere and two, much of my advocacy is not done in a room full of influencial people but at home. This moment counted – for advocacy on behalf of walkers, cyclists and horse riders in Aotearoa New Zealand and I felt that.
I made a beeline straight to Canterbury’s Road Policing Manager Kelly Larsen who was speaking with NZTA Waka Kotahi’s Strategy Director Safety Fabian Marsh. I introduced myself, thanked NZ Police for its support for the Pass Wide and Slow message and then focused on the issues at hand.
I raised the topic of the Lane Improvements work and need for a two-metre passing distance for horse riders, the need for the issue of speed in passing horses and vulnerable road users to be thought through more carefully, the need for a national approach to signage on local roads – hinting that NZTA needs to endorse and give council’s strong guidance and permission to roll out targeted VRU signage, especially as it introduces proposed minimum passing rules, and I asked NZTA, where possible, to consider including a voice for vulnerable road users at its decision making tables. Oh yes, and the elephant in the room – a lack of data around near misses, driver behaviours and charges relating to incidents involving VRUs that ultimately informs policy, priorities and spend. I made some suggestions on how this could be improved. My suggestions were not shot down.
In fact, once again my motivation for establishing this Trust and its purpose was made clear. In New Zealand there are organisations that are busy focused on delivering results in certain areas based on certain expectations and parameters (budgets), and the scope to do more, deviate or try something new basically comes down to others to fill that gap. In this case, the Trust has the potential to fill that gap in areas of informed advocacy, education by way of the Pass Wide and Slow message and vulnerable road user hierarchy and promotion of safety gear like high visibility.
My final message to NZTA was to enable, partner and collaborate. More can be achieved in road safety – and road safety is ALL OF US - when community, local government, central government and their ministries work together.
Finally, how did I land in this room? It was thanks to New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing and Harness Racing New Zealand for jointly nominating me for the National Road Safety Award after I was approached to apply. I want to acknowledge the support of both organisations and their commitment to improving road safety outcomes for equestrians. They walk the talk.
Another person I hold in high regard and who is well known in the transport sector is Dave Boyce of NZ Trucking Association. Dave and I met when I chaired my local council's road safety committee in 2016 and he was the first trucking assn within the transport sector to endorse and support the Pass Wide and Slow message in 2024. And that level of support was reconfirmed to me for the Trust and its purpose. Thank you NZ Trucking Assn.
Congratulations to Timaru District Council's - Road Safety South Canterbury who were recognised for their collaborative approach and ability to partner with community to deliver road safety education in the region. Mayor Nigel Bowen attended in support, and I took the opportunity to speak about horse rider inclusion in off-road trail infrastructure and its importance in alternatives to on road riding.
A special thank you to John Barr, Chair of the Awards panel and Sarah Dean, who is the founder and trustee of the Road Traffic Accident Trauma Charitable Trust and driver behind the Awards. Her motivation for stepping up and making a difference in New Zealand’s road safety landscape is a result of lived experience. She filled a gap and it can be measured by the people in the room who have made a commitment to help reduce trauma, serious injury and death on our roads.
Here is a summary of the Award recipients - congratulations to all.
National Award for Emergency Response and Healthcare – Twizel Medical Centre team in recognition of their coordinated response to a multi bus collision near Lake Pukaki that involved around 100 Chinese tourists.
National Award for Road Safety – jointly awarded to Safe System Solutions Pty Ltd and NZTA Waka Kotahi
National Award for Community Service – wasn’t awarded.
Regional Award for Road Safety – South Canterbury Road Safety team for their collaborative driven programme toa educate and promote road safety across the region.
Regional Award for Road Safety – Health New Zealand – Te Whatu Ora in honour of the regional programme – WAVE (Wellbeing and Vitality in Education) initiative across South Canterbury.
To read more about the Award recipients work.
