23 May 2002

Hutt City's campaign against speeding drivers aims to graphically show the potential consequences of speeding by displaying coffins at key sites through out the city, said Road Safety Coordinator Tony Yung.

"One of the key issues is to try and counter the belief among many drivers that 'it won't happen to me'," said Tony Yung.

"Last year 447 people* probably thought exactly the same thing, as they stepped into their cars, jumped on their bikes, revved up their motorbikes, and headed out the door.

"The coffins are out there as a graphic reminder of what can happen to you or someone else, if you speed.

The coffins may upset or offend some people, but as long as the message that speeding can have fatal consequences is having an impact, they will remain there - just as the memories remain of the thousands of people whose lives have been taken on our roads.

Hutt City reports quite a positive response from people, with very few complaints.

"When we were putting it out in Parkway, we had people waving, and honking their horns. On top of this, the majority of people I asked around the sites were keen to see something done about speeding drivers," said Tony Yung.

The coffins have been supplied by Daryl Angus of Omega Funeral Services, who came up with the idea to display them where they would be visible to drivers.

ENDS

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