NZ Road Safety Week 2015: 'Look out for kids'

Associate Transport Minister Craig Foss called children "our most vulnerable road users". Photo / iStock

A series of marches and events are expected across New Zealand to mark a global campaign aimed at saving the lives of children.

Children will hold banners reminding drivers to look out for kids and slow down as United Nations Global Road Safety Week starts today.

Brake, the road safety charity, Safekids Aotearoa, NZ Police, NZ Transport Agency, Auckland Transport and other road safety agencies were involved in the campaign.

Brake said every year 19 children were killed and more than 270 hospitalised after road crashes in New Zealand. Globally, more than 500 children died every day because of road traffic crashes.

Across New Zealand more than 700 schools, kindergartens, companies and communities were planning to run a Giant Walk or other awareness-raising event.

At a national launch in Auckland today at one of the Giant Walk locations, Brake and Safekids Aotearoa will invite organisations and MPs to sign the UN Declaration on Child Road Safety. Launches were also planned in Wellington, Hastings and Christchurch.

Groups involved were using the social media hashtag #SaveKidsLives to raise awareness of the issue.

Brake said it would also show the consequences of crashes involving children and young people with the launch of Living Memories, a campaign telling the stories of young people killed in preventable road crashes.

"When drivers use roads without care for others the consequences can be tragic and horrific - people killed and badly injured, lives ruined forever, because of a moment of inattention, impatience or a bad decision," said Caroline Perry, Brake's New Zealand director.

"That's why, instead of making our streets risky places, we're asking all road users to look out for and protect children and young people - that means drivers slowing down outside schools and in communities, and keeping their full attention on driving when at the wheel," Ms Perry added.

Ann Weaver, Safekids Aotearoa director, encouraged children, parents, drivers, private industries, policy makers and decision makers to sign the UN Declaration for Child Road Safety.

"Children can be unpredictable, so motorists need to be well prepared to stop safely in and around school zones," said Dave Cliff, police assistant commissioner.

"This means slowing down and giving yourself enough time and space to stop suddenly if needed. That's why Police this week will be paying particular attention to vehicle speeds and driver behaviour around schools, including the correct use of child restraints," Mr Cliff added.

"Road Safety Week is a chance for Kiwis to reflect on how the way we drive affects everyone in the community, including our children," New Zealand Transport Agency road safety director Ernst Zollner said.

"To help make roads safer for children we would urge our Government to consistently slow speeds within school zones to force a change in culture of how people drive around vulnerable children," said Lucinda Rees from NZ School Speeds.

Advice for drivers

• Slow down in school zones and communities at all times.

• When passing school buses either way do not exceed 20km/h.

• Come to a complete stop at intersections and double-check for kids.

• Slow down and double -heck for kids at pedestrian crossings, especially in school zones.

Advice for parents

• Keep children in child restraints until they're 148cm (4'9") to offer the best protection in a vehicle.

• Ensure children wear helmets when cycling, scootering and skateboarding.

• Teach children to stop, look and listen and look for vehicles approaching or turning.

• Set a good example for your children, whether you're walking, cycling or driving.