Stay safe this Easter

  • Craig Foss
Transport

No matter what you get up to over the Easter break, you can help keep yourself and your loved ones safe on the road, water and around trains by following a few simple steps, Associate Transport Minister Craig Foss says.

“The Easter holiday is the last long weekend for a while.  Many people will be travelling on our roads and boaties may be heading out on the water one last time before winter settles in,” Mr Foss says.

“Taking the time to get the safety basics right will help ensure everyone has a safe and accident-free Easter break.”

On the road:

  • Drive refreshed and sober
  • Stick within the speed limit and be considerate to others
  • Check your vehicle and tyres and drive to the conditions
  • Wear a safety belt, and make sure children are appropriately buckled in

On the water:

  • Autumn weather can be unpredictable, so make sure you check the weather forecast before you head out
  • Take at least two forms of reliable, waterproof communication with you
  • Make sure you have the right number of properly fitting lifejackets on board and encourage everyone, particularly children, to wear one

Around trains:

  • Tracks are for trains — keep well away from the tracks and only cross at official level crossings
  • Don’t walk along the tracks or take short cuts over them — trains can be quiet and often travel faster than you think
  • On foot or in a vehicle, always obey the warning signs and look carefully in both directions for trains.  Don’t forget if there are two tracks there could be two trains

The official Easter holiday period begins at 4pm today and ends at 6am on Tuesday 7 April.

Notes:

Easter road toll 2014

Over Easter weekend 2014 there were five fatal crashes and 95 reported injury crashes. These crashes resulted in five road deaths, 17 serious injuries and 123 minor injuries.

The lowest Easter road toll was 0 deaths in 2012. The highest recorded number of deaths was 21 in 1971.

More information at: www.transport.govt.nz/research/roadtoll/holidayroadtolleaster/

2015 annual road toll

As of 2 April, the provisional annual road toll for 2015 is 81.

2015 boating fatalities

As of 1 April, there have been nine fatalities from recreational boating accidents.  There have been no fatalities in the commercial sector.

2015 train fatalities

As of 1 April, there has been 1 fatality on the rail network.