New Zealand launches Think Before You Drive Campaign
The Southland Times
The New Zealand Automobile Association’s Think Before You Drive campaign - part of a global initiative funded by the FIA Foundation, Bridgestone Corporation and motoring organizations worldwide - was officially launched in New Zealand on 24th March by the country’s Minister for Transport Safety, Hon Harry Duynhoven.
Speaking at the launch, the AA’s General Manager for Motoring Policy Mike Noon said, “Think Before You Drive promotes simple road safety messages. It highlights actions that only take a few seconds but could save your life.”
Strong emphasis was put on seat belt use and properly maintained tyres at the New Zealand launch. Mr Noon said, “Seat belts save lives and are the single most effective, and least costly, road safety measure for car occupants. 23% of our road fatalities last year were as a result of people not wearing seat belts. It is such a tragic and unnecessary waste of life.”
The condition of tyres has safety implications that often go ignored by motorists. Tyres lose pressure over time and driving on under inflated tyres can be both expensive and dangerous. Stressing this point, Mr Noon said, “On a wet road the difference in stopping distance for new and worn tyres can be about one car’s length – potentially the difference between braking safely and having a crash.”
Throughout the campaign the AA will give away 100,000 tyre pressure gauges and 250,000 Think Before You Drive road safety information booklets. The gauges and booklets will be given free of charge to motorists who have a Warrant of Fitness check at an AA Vehicle Testing Station.
This new film from the FIA Foundation looks at the practical and political steps that need to taken to improve road safety across the world.
Watch the Think Global film:
