Hearsay! News without the facts: Everything You Need to Know About the ‘Road to Zero’

July 29, 2019

The government has unveiled a new ‘Road to Zero’ road safety scheme. The scheme, based on the ‘Vision Zero’ strategy used in Sweden, will attempt to eliminate deaths on the road by improving infrastructure and driving practices. Craccum summarises some of the changes we can expect to see once the ‘Road to Zero’ scheme kicks off in earnest:

As part of the strategy, the government will be looking into how they can improve current infrastructure like roads and bridges. Potential upgrades that could be made to these infrastructures include improving existing median barriers and side barriers, adding rumble strips, and reducing speed limits in high-risk crash areas.
The strategy is also likely to see the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) review current test procedures for obtaining a license. The NZTA may discuss whether or not they need to make the test more difficult, or if they need to implement regular check-ups to ensure drivers are up-to-date on the road code.
Drivers will be encouraged to download the ‘R2Z’ app. The app will require drivers complete a series of road-safety related mini-games while driving, to ensure they remain active and switched-on behind the wheel.
The ‘Road to Zero’ campaign will also see several car companies incorporate road safety focused messaging in their advertisements. Honda will launch their new “Don’t Wanna Be Honda Way To The Hospital” adverts at the end of the month, and BMW’s “Any Other Car Will Kill Your Family” campaign will follow not long after.
Ford have agreed to launch a similarly innovative campaign: their “Get The Fuck Off The Road, It’s Really Fucking Dangerous” line of advertisements will see the company erect billboards across the country to warn drivers of the dangers of the road. The billboards are expected to feature fireworks, flashing lights, and loud horns. “We need the signs to be really big and attention getting if we want to get our message across,” Ford’s director of marketing told press, “Our test audiences showed us that drivers are often too focused on the road ahead to absorb the message we’re trying to get across.”
The NZTA will release a list of small changes drivers can make to their driving habits to become safer drivers. These are expected to include:
Drive faster to reduce time spent on the road, and therefore reduce the chance of causing an accident.
If you are involved in a crash, try to shelter under the nearest chair, table or doorway until the shaking has subsided.
Always wear a high-visibility jacket while driving.
The government will employ more than 18,000 fathers, spread across 17 different towns and cities, to check up on the oil levels of cars throughout the nation.
The NZTA will slowly make their new braking system – which was developed in partnership with Lime scooters – mandatory for all cars. The new system brakes suddenly and without warning, bringing the car to a screeching halt at intermittent points throughout the day. NZTA says the random braking mechanism could potentially save hundreds of lives, provided it kicks in at the right time.
The government will be expected to review current Warrant of Fitness procedures.