The 111 Files: Small steps lead to safety

The safe system aims to have roads increasingly free of death and serious injury. Photo / File

Although I have been stationed in Rotorua for almost two years, I have just taken over the role of road policing manager from Senior Sergeant Denton Grimes.

It is pleasure to write this blog pertaining to my new role.

Although I had no previous background in road policing, I am enjoying the many prevention opportunities and challenges the role brings. As one Rotorua District Council worker described it to me, I have perhaps experienced a baptism of fire. This comment is valid after a recent weekend in Rotorua where we experienced three road fatalities.

This brings me to the message I would like to communicate to you all. It relates to the New Zealand Government Safer Journey Strategy, and articulates the "Safe System". The safe system aims to have a road system increasingly free of death and serious injury and is made up of four components namely: safe speeds, safe vehicles, safe road use, and safe roads and roadside. As you can gather, New Zealand Police is just one stakeholder in this strategy that seeks to reduce serious injury and fatal crashes through enforcement and prevention.

So let me ask you, how closely do you monitor your speed? Is your vehicle road worthy and safe to drive? When driving, are you driving in a state that enables you to drive safely? These are questions relating to the safer journeys strategy.

Aligned to this strategy, police have concentrated our enforcement and prevention efforts on the term called the "fatal five" offences. These offences include: speed, restraints, alcohol, high risk drivers (such as young drivers) and manner of driving (careless or dangerous driving).

It is overwhelming for me when I look at our weekly reports and, out of most vehicle crashes and also vehicle complaints received by police, they nearly always involve one or more of these five culprits. Statistically, these offences are also nearly always seen in fatal and serious injury crashes.

You can start to see the link between staying safe and the aims of the Safer Journey Strategy and why police will continue to concentrate on the fatal five.

I am sure you have seen the advertisements by NZTA. If you want to stay safe, slow down, buckle-up, don't drink and drive, drive to the conditions, and you will help us ensure that those using our Rotorua roads feel safe and are safe.

Senior Sergeant Brendon Keenan is road policing manager for Rotorua police