Another tool to help keep visiting drivers safe

Another tool to help keep visiting drivers safe

Today’s launch of road safety messaging highlights the efforts being made by multiple agencies to improve safety for visiting drivers and New Zealanders, says Chris Roberts, Chief Executive, Tourism Industry Association New Zealand (TIA).

The pictorial ‘luggage tag’ will be attached to rental vehicle steering wheels, initially in Queenstown, and then more widely if it proves to be effective. The same messages have been reproduced in a card which tourism operators can give to travellers. Police will also use the card as a visual aid when they pull visiting drivers over for traffic violations.

“Congratulations to the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZ Transport Agency) and the Rental Vehicle Association New Zealand which have led the development of the ‘luggage tag’. Using images to help communicate these key road safety messages will help grab the attention of visiting drivers,” says Mr Roberts.

“Of course this latest initiative is not the answer by itself. A lot is already being done to educate visiting drivers about New Zealand road rules and driving conditions. NZ Transport Agency is coordinating a project in the lower South Island to improve road safety outcomes. We are seeing a comprehensive approach across the private and public sectors.

“TIA is playing an active role, including talking with its rental vehicle members and the wider tourism industry about developing support tools to help improve visiting driver safety. We are also exploring ways to communicate with those outside the industry that come into contact with visiting drivers, such as the international education sector.

“There is a duty of care for everyone who comes into contact with visiting drivers who are unfamiliar with our roads and driving conditions, to give them advice and guidance which will help make their visit a safe one.”

Mr Roberts says the tourism industry’s Tourism 2025 growth framework stresses the importance of lowering barriers to travel and improving the quality of the visitor experience.

“More visitors are choosing to self-drive while on holiday in New Zealand. We don’t want to discourage these visitors, but we do want to keep them and others on our roads safe.”

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