Government takes a gamble to try and lower road toll

By STUART DYE, transport reporter


The Government is pinning its hopes on a scratchcard scheme with a prize giveaway to educate motorists about the road code and drive down the death toll.

Transport Minister Paul Swain announced yesterday that almost every driver in New Zealand would be encouraged to improve his or her knowledge of the road rules as part of the new education campaign.

Older drivers, novice drivers, drink-drivers and speeding drivers were already targeted by education schemes, said Mr Swain.

But there was a glaring gap - everyday drivers. "Many drivers can hold their licence for more than 60 years without brushing up on the road code or road safety.

"The Up to Scratch education campaign offers incentives for drivers to voluntarily take part in simple tests to refresh their driving knowledge," said Mr Swain.

The scheme, which will cost almost $11 million over three years, begins next March.

Motorists will get a scratch card with their motor vehicle registration forms, when they renew their licence and when they take their car for its WoF.

The card features 10 questions - six relating to the road code and four focusing on road safety risk issues - and drivers will have to scratch off what they believe are the right answers.

Anyone getting nine or 10 correct goes into a draw to win a Toyota Avensis.

More frequent draws for people who reach a certain level will offer prizes that include petrol vouchers, wheel alignments, tyres, and car wash vouchers.

Opposition MPs have panned the scheme. National transport spokesman Gerry Brownlee described it as an absolute nonsense.

"If that's the answer to road safety, then panelbeaters, insurance companies and hospital emergency departments won't be going out of business anytime soon," said Mr Brownlee.

Greens co-leader Jeanette Fitzsimons said the prize of a car undermined the safety message.

"The safest-built car in the world can still speed, go through stop signs, turn without indicating, and the driver can still fall asleep and get drunk.

"In those circumstances the car will not save them or anyone else involved."

Some 10.7 million cards will be issued, beginning next March, reaching an expected 2.7 million drivers.

The initiative will be supported by a direct communication campaign with personalised road safety education information given to speeding drivers who receive 50 demerit points or more a year.

A safe driving in the workplace programme will also be extended.

Mr Swain described the voluntary initiative as a key component of the Government's Road Safety to 2010 strategy, which focuses on the three Es - engineering, education and enforcement.

The engineering package announced last month will see an extra $47 million spent on accident black spots over the next two years.

The final component to meet the goal of no more than 300 deaths and 4500 admittances to hospital a year by 2010 is a series of new enforcement measures to be announced next month.

The National Road Safety Committee welcomed the programme.

Chairman David Wright said nearly 10 million contacts were made with drivers every year relating to warrants of fitness, vehicle licensing and driver licensing.

"By using those contacts to provide educational material we have the potential to reach most New Zealand drivers several times a year."

The test

* The scratchcard is issued with Motor Vehicle and Driver Licence Registers, and at Warrant of Fitness tests.

* The card gives true or false options or multiple choice options.

* Included are questions on blood alcohol limits, what fines are applicable for not wearing seatbelts and injury numbers at intersections.

Herald Feature: Road safety