Slippery roads, torrential rain and heavy fog are just some of the culprits for winter road crashes, and while you can't control the conditions, the Bay of Plenty Regional Council is proving you can take control of your safety.
Teaming up with the NZ Transport Agency, Rotorua Lakes Council and Waiariki Bay of Plenty Polytech, a Pit Stop was recently held to empower drivers with the simple skills to give their vehicle a quick TWIRL inspection (tyres, windscreen, indicators, rust, lights) to ensure it's safe before getting on the road.
Transport Agency certification officer, Andrew Lister said winter was such a critical time to ensure your vehicle was safe, due to the hazardous weather conditions.
"It's the driver's responsibility to ensure their vehicle is safe. Giving your vehicle a TWIRL is as simple as walking around it to check the tyres, windscreen, indicators, rust and lights - anyone can do it.
"A lot of vehicle issues go unnoticed when driving around town, but can become a major hazard on the open road, putting yourself and others at risk.