Visitors to the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) site at this year's Fieldays (13-16 June) will have a chance to find out about the agency's work around the Safer Journeys strategy, other related activities currently in the spotlight and information on key NZTA projects happening around the Waikato and Bay of Plenty region.
"The road safety work we carry out in relation to this strategy is part of the NZTA's overall focus on ensuring New Zealand has an affordable, integrated, safe, responsive and sustainable land transport system which grows our country's economy," says Manager, Access and Use, David Pearks.
"The strategy's four key elements - safer roads, safer vehicles, safer drivers and safer speeds contribute significantly to safer and more reliable access across the country for all road users, including freight and public transport."
Mr Pearks, says the NZTA tent offers a large area for the displays (occupying Sites 019-021) and his staff will be on site to talk to Fieldays visitors about road safety and how to ensure their vehicles comply with road safety rules and requirements. "We'll have a range of displays including video footage of our key safety campaigns and a variety of posters and information leaflets and factsheets."
Two ANCAP 'crashed cars' will be on display onsite, comparing the different impacts an accident is likely to have on a ANCAP 2-star rated vehicle in comparison with a 5-star rated vehicle. There will also be an 'over-dimensional' tractor and trailer unit on view. This will enable rural visitors in particular to see the types of signage required on wider and/or longer agricultural vehicles.
State Highway Manager, Kaye Clark, says in addition to the main focus on Safer Journeys and the 'Safe System', the NZTA Fieldays site will also have NZTA project information from both regions on display. "We're aware that visitors from the Waikato and Bay of Plenty are also interested in finding out more about this work. These displays will include a focus on our two 'Roads of National Significance' (RoNS) - the Waikato Expressway and the Tauranga Eastern Link (TEL) - and visitors will also be able to view a 'virtual flyover' DVD for these two major projects."
"It's a chance for people to see what we do and why - and how it relates to them," says Mrs Clark. "We'll also have staff on hand to demonstrate key elements of our website, so people can see what it offers - from how to access useful information for planning their road journeys safely; to registering your vehicle online or accessing information on driver licensing."
Mrs Clark says Fieldays is traditionally a busy time traffic-wise too, with people flying or driving into the region from all the New Zealand and overseas. "We always experience a significant increase in traffic volumes on SH1 and SH3 during Fieldays week as people head into Mystery Creek off Airport Road," says Mrs Clark. "Police have excellent traffic management systems in place around this, but we'd like to remind people to be aware of the busy roads near the Fieldays site during this period. Please take care, be patient, plan your journey ahead to take account of the extra traffic around, watch your speeds and always drive to the conditions."
