Road safety comes in green

GREEN MEANS GO - CAREFULLY: Getting the festive road safety message through to Whangarei shoppers recently were: front row, Gillian Archer (left), Rachel Woodworth, Noah Worth; back row, Constable Pete Thomas, Marnie Worth, Billy Woodworth, Claire Woodward, Hunter Worth, Mikey Gillard, Hannah Mitchell and Constable Solomone (Soli) Halaapiapi.

When it comes to getting the road safety message through a good way is to use the men in green.

Green men and helpers were out in force recently in Whangarei's Cameron St Mall, with the message "Stop, look and listen before you step out to cross the road". Representatives from the Whangarei District and Northland Regional councils, RoadSafe Northland, police, ACC, Manaia PHO, and Northland Road Safety Association were there to share safe walking messages.

Children and adults surveyed as part of the pedestrian safety promotion seemed to be clear about stop, look and listen. However, RoadSafe Northland Whangarei co-ordinator Gillian Archer said many people were unsure which way to look as a final safety check before stepping out.

"We reminded them to look right, look left and then look right before stepping on to a road," Ms Archer said.

NRC transport projects officer Ian Crayton-Brown said there were too many avoidable pedestrian injuries in Whangarei district. "So our green men and their helpers will return in the future to raise awareness regarding this safety concern," he said.

Concerns about driver behaviour can be reported to the police through a Community Roadwatch report, or by phoning *555. Make sure you get the registration number of the vehicle.

Concerns about timing for pedestrian crossing signals can be reported to the WDC hotline on 09 430 4200.