Road safety trust targets Easter toll

Press, 1 December 1988, Page 4

Road safety trust targets Easter toll

PA Wellington A new road safety trust pooling money and expertise from the motor industries was launched in Wellington yesterday. The Motor Industries Road Safety Trust will administer a fund to promote road safety — with its first campaign aimed at the Easter road toll next year. 4 luncheon to mark the launching was attended by motor industry representatives, news media, Government officials, trustees and Ministry of Transport officials. The trust’s chairman, Sir Randal Elliott, told the luncheon road deaths were the serious health problem in New Zealand. He said 22,000 people a year were admitted to hospital accident and emergency wards as a result of road related ac-

cidents and this was costing the country $1 billion a year. “We could pay off our (country’s) deficit in eight years if we can save in that area. “This is a problem that gets swept under the carpet and the Government never initiates anything,” Sir Randal said. The lunch was also addressed by the Minister of Transport, Mr Bill Jeffries, who congratulated the motor industries for their initiative. He said Governments could always legislate, monitor and enforce road safety regulations but in the end it was up to individuals to make the difference. “We all have a moral imperative to save life (on the roads). “We have a contribution to make to our spouse, children, families

and country and that can not be achieved if we get wiped out on a Saturday night.” Mr Jeffries said road safety comes down to the three big E’s: enforcement, engineering and education. He said representatives at the launch could help in engineering and education. One of the main instigators in the setting up of the trust, a former racing car driver, Mr Tony Shelley, said it was hoped to raise $750,000 next year from the motor industry to finance the campaigns. He said 797 people died on New Zealand roads last year making New Zealand worse on a per capita basis than the United States, Australia, Germany, the United Kingdom and Japan.