LTSA Speed Fixation Is Not the Cure

Friday 2nd Mar 2001 Penny Webster Media Release -- Other

The jump in the road toll proves that the Land Transport Safety Authority’s fixation on speeding is not working, ACT Transport spokesman Penny Webster said today.

“LTSA must accept that lower speed is not the panacea of all ills,” Penny Webster said.

“Hiking fines and continually urging drivers not to speed doesn’t work.

“Our horrific road toll is not caused solely by speed, but by poor quality roads and a lack of driver education.

“ACT has been saying for some time that money spent on shock/horror advertising does not change driver behaviour. An LTSA survey released last week shows the public is more aware of speeding, drink-driving and seatbelts, but the road toll just climbs.

“On some roads, a higher speed is safe. On others, the 100km speed limit can be dangerous in certain conditions. Factors such as seatbelt use and driver inexperience cannot be ignored.

“Driver education must be improved. Until that happens, huge numbers of New Zealanders are going to die on our roads.

“The LTSA’s fixation on speed is not the answer,” Penny Webster said.

For more information visit ACT online at http://www.act.org.nz or contact the ACT Parliamentary Office at act@parliament.govt.nz.

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