Safer Journeys action plan - safe road use FAQs

Reducing alcohol and drug impaired driving

Why is the focus on drivers with high levels of blood alcohol and repeat offenders?

A recent Ministry of Transport report shows that between 2005 and 2009, 642 people were killed in crashes where high-risk drivers were at fault. These high-risk drivers include those who are repeat offenders and who have high blood alcohol limits at the time of the crash.

By targeting these problem drivers we can make a significant impact on the rate of death and injury on New Zealand roads.

The report on the impact of high risk drivers is available on the Ministry of Transport website.

How much data will be collected on drivers with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) between 0.05 and 0.08?

Data will be collected for two years. This will ensure there is enough information for future decision making on this subject.

What is an alcohol interlock?

An alcohol interlock is a device similar to a breathalyser that is connected into the ignition system of a vehicle. Before the vehicle can be started, the driver must give a breath test. If the analysed result is over the pre-programmed breath-alcohol level the vehicle will not start.

Legislation which allows Courts the option to require repeat or serious drink drive offenders to use alcohol interlocks, after a mandated 90-day disqualification, has been passed.
 
Read more information on this legislation and alcohol interlocks.

Why is research needed on drug impaired driving?

In comparison to drink-driving, less is known about the extent of drugged driving in New Zealand and the impact it has on road safety.

In 2009 legislation was passed to help combat drugged driving but further research is necessary to tell us if there is more that can be done.

Is the drugged driving legislation working?

Yes. At 31 March 2011, 199 drivers have been convicted of a drugged driving offence under the provisions that were introduced on 1 November 2009. A further 83 drivers are yet to appear in court, or have cases pending.

How will you carry out New Zealand-specific research on how driving performance is affected as BAC levels rise?

This research could use driving simulators or track based trials. This research would be arranged by the Ministry of Transport and the NZ Transport Agency.

Increase the safety of young drivers

What does the review of road safety education for young people involve?

There is variable quality and access to road safety education for young people within schools and other settings. This review analysed the current delivery of road safety education for young people under 25 and how it can be improved.

When will the driving age change come into force?

The new driving age will come into force on 1 August 2011.

How will maximum licence time limits for learner and restricted licences and R plates for restricted licences help improve safety?

Time limits will encourage young and new drivers to progress through the graduated driver licensing system, and therefore will be encouraged to actively increase their level of supervised driving to pass their driving tests.

When will investigations on maximum licence time limits for learner and restricted licences and R plates for restricted licences take place?

Investigations will be carried out over 2011/2012.

How would compulsory third party insurance improve young driver safety?

It has been suggested that compulsory third party insurance could encourage younger drivers to drive less powerful vehicles. However, further investigation is needed to assess whether this is the case.

Why is there a need to evaluate it?

Research suggests that the rate of vehicle insurance among New Zealanders is already very high. For this reason there is a need for further research to find whether there would be any benefits from making it mandatory.

What are vehicle power restrictions?

Power restrictions are a measure used in Australia to restrict young people’s access to high powered vehicles. Restrictions in Australian states include bans on young drivers using V8s, turbo and supercharged vehicles and certain high performance six cylinder vehicles. There are exemptions for those who need to drive a high-powered car for work.

When will this investigation be completed?

Monash University Accident Research Centre is currently undertaking a review of the effect of power restrictions in place in several Australian states. A report will be forthcoming., We will be paying close attention to this report to decide whether further investigation is warranted.

Motorcycles

Isn’t the problem mainly other road users crashing into motorcyclists?

Crash statistics show that in around 60 percent of all recorded crashes the motorcyclist had some level of responsibility for the crash. Motorcyclists are more likely to be at fault in rural areas and other motorists are more likely to be at fault in urban areas.

What are the regulatory changes for motorcyclists?

The government has progressed a number of measures from Safer Journeys that are aimed at improving the safety of motorcycle and moped novice and returning riders. These changes were included in a draft land transport rule that was consulted on last year.

The changes include:

• improving motorcycle rider training and licensing
• introducing a power-to-weight restriction for novice motorcycle riders.

This rule as well as Q&As which cover the motorcycle and moped safety provisions are available on the NZ Transport Agency website.

What is the motorcycle safety levy?

The Motorcycle Safety Levy is an additional payment made by motorcycle owners when their motorcycle is licensed that is paid into a dedicated fund for programmes to improve motorcycle safety. Currently the levy is set at $30 for a 12 month license period.

ACC takes advice from the Motorcycle Safety Advisory Council on how the levy is to be spent. The advisory council is made up of representatives of the motorcycling community and is independent of ACC.

High Risk Drivers

How many drivers are high-risk?

We know that 35 percent of drivers at fault in fatal crashes are high-risk drivers. However, it is not possible to say how many drivers on the road fit this category, as some of the criteria for high risk drivers can only apply to their actions in a crash.

We do know that around 67,000 drivers are disqualified each year and that 27 percent of drink-drive offenders are repeat offenders.

Why is reducing the impact of high risk drivers only an area of medium concern?

While reducing the impact of high-risk drivers has been identified as a medium level priority, actions from other priority areas will help address this issue. These include alcohol interlocks, a zero drink-drive limit for repeat offenders and higher penalties for traffic offences causing death, and have already been progressed by the government.

Any need for further action to reduce the impact of high-risk drivers will be considered as part of future action plans.

What is the advantage of community based programmes for rehabilitating high-risk drivers?

The expertise required to rehabilitate high-risk drivers is often found outside the group of road safety professionals, and the programmes may require input from a wide range of agencies not solely associated with road safety. Allowing communities to develop such responses to their local needs is often an effective way of dealing with high-risk drivers.

What is the illegal street racing legislation?

In 2009, legislation came into force that strengthened the law to ensure that Police have better powers to crack down on illegal street racers, and that penalties are appropriate to prevent repeat offending.

Information about this legislation is available on the Ministry of Transport website.

Walking and Cycling

What is community based cycle skills training?

The New Zealand Transport Agency with Skills Active Aotearoa has been developing a cycle skills instructor training qualification. This will support Cycle Skills Training providers to deliver safe, effective programmes within community settings. The qualification covers three Grades from beginning cycling to more advanced on-road skills in all traffic environments.

Do these actions mean the NZ Transport Agency will be putting more money into community programmes and local share the road campaigns?

The NZTA part funds investment proposals across a wide range of road safety focused initiatives which are submitted by approved organisations, as part of the three year NLTP programme. What is funded into any area is dependent on the adequacy of the investment proposals and the overall funding available, which is not proposed to be increased.

Why are there no actions for improved walking and cycling infrastructure such as cycle lanes?

There are actions in other areas that focus on providing safer road infrastructure that will contribute to walking and cycling safety. These include providing safe and convenient routes for pedestrians and cyclists, especially to and from work and school and changing the give way rules.

Distraction and Fatigue

How do you incorporate fatigue considerations into infrastructure guidance?

Fatigue and distraction can increase the likelihood of driver error. Relevant infrastructure treatments can include devices such as rumble strips along edgelines and centrelines. These can assist to keep drivers in their lanes, however in the Safe System approach the most effective response is to have more forgiving roads with median barriers on higher volume roads and clear zones or side barriers along the edges to protect errant drivers from severe hazards.

What is the driver fatigue co-ordination group?

This is an inter-agency group made up of representatives from NRSC member agencies and the wider road user community. The group is tasked with identifying and developing initiatives to combat driver fatigue.