My job: Driving change in road safety

Monique Haines says her role is fundamental in reducing the risk and severity of crashes. Photo / Supplied

Name: Monique Haines.
Title: Road safety co-ordinator.
Age: 43.
Employer: Franklin District Council.
Hours: 40+ hours a week.
Salary: $50,000 - $70,000.
Qualifications: Education, police or event management background recommended.

Describe your job?

I am the road safety co-ordinator for Franklin District Council (population 64,000) with a roading network of 1623km. I sit within the transport team amongst knowledgeable and supportive roading engineers and a fabulous administration team.

My role involves the co-ordination and advocacy for road safety, planning and carrying out interventions to reduce the incidence and severity of crashes in Franklin. My role also encompasses the "three Es" of road safety - education, engineering and enforcement.

My role and programme is 75 per cent funded by the New Zealand Transport Agency and 25 per cent from Franklin District Council. I report directly to the land transport manager at FDC and NZTA.

In my day-to-day role I deal with a range of people in the community from students, teachers, ratepayers, local media, businesses, retailers and police, ACC, ARTA and other councils.

What is your background?

I was born and educated in Tokoroa during its heyday. I attended Hamilton Teachers College and Waikato University to complete a Diploma of Education in primary teaching. After graduating, I got married and moved to the beautiful Franklin District, where I spent 20 years teaching and raised two sons.

While I loved teaching, after 20 years I was looking for a new challenge and took up the full-time role of road safety co-ordinator for Franklin District Council 2 years ago. This role is predominantly educational.

How does your teaching background help with this role?

The skills you need to be a teacher are transferable - organisation and time management skills, team and event management, managing budgets, networking, people skills, public speaking and strategic thinking.

You wouldn't be deskbound with this job?

I'm on the road and out of the office frequently and often daily. It's probably a 50/50 split; no two days are the same.

This role involves on-site meetings with target groups and liaising with key stakeholders in Franklin and the greater Auckland region.

Essential tools of the trade include my mobile phone, fluoro clothing, a hand truck and access to broadband at home.

Why is the job important?

My job saves lives. Just saving one life can make a difference. This is a fundamental role in reducing the risk and severity of crashes and creating awareness of key road safety issues in the Franklin district.

To achieve this change we need to create a safer transport system by using an approach incorporating safe roads and roadsides, safe speeds, safe road use and safe vehicles.

What are the job's main challenges?

To get people to recognise that we all have a responsibility for road safety. The biggest challenge in my role is not just to raise awareness but to change people's behaviour.

People need to realise that the car is a lethal weapon, with little room for error when things go wrong.

Government legislation is another battle (raising the driving age, reducing the blood alcohol level to 0.05, more education and mandatory instruction in the restricted driving phase for a start).

The best part of your job?

The people - it is a pleasure to work within the supportive Franklin community and with key road safety stakeholders.

Highlights are promoting cycling, motorcycle rider training days, working with positive schools, parents and teachers and their school communities and having council staff volunteer their time to help with events.

Any negatives?

We are killing young adults on our roads. Our laws are simply not tough enough. Why do we allow people to continue to drink and drive?

Your strengths?

My key strengths are being highly motivated, oozing enthusiasm, having a good work ethic and being passionate about road safety. I am organised, focused, practical, able to prioritise and energetic with the gift of the gab. I have the ability to build relationships.

What's on the agenda for this year?

As Franklin District Council will cease to exist from November 1, my role is yet to be confirmed. I would love to be offered a "super" role in the new Super City structure within Auckland Transport.

What do you want to be doing in five years?

Working in the road safety community and specialising in road safety engineering. Living in a new house built to our design, close to the ocean. Exploring more of New Zealand by motorbike as a pillion passenger with my husband.

Advice to anyone interested in a similar role?

Go for it; you'll love it. You'll be working within a supportive community in a role that's rewarding both personally and professionally.