News Release
Thursday 6 December 2012

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Road safety campaign targeting Rotorua's rural roads

Rotorua 6.12.12: Rotorua District Council's ongoing road safety campaign is expanding to add a new focus on the district's rural roads.

New road safety billboards featuring the wise owl character Ruru, wearing gumboots and farming gear, are being mounted alongside country roads and road safety messages will be a feature of Rotorua's Rural Community Safety Day on Sunday [9 December] at Reporoa Domain.

RDC road safety coordinator Jodie Lawson said the district's rural roads had an unacceptably high crash rate and motorists in country communities needed to be more aware of the potential dangers in those areas.

"We want to get the message across that road safety is everybody's responsibility, especially as we enter into the Christmas and holiday season, and we want to encourage extra care and attention on rural roads."

The new billboards are initially going up around the Reporoa and Waikite areas but other parts of the district will follow.

The 'Rural Ruru' character will also feature at the Rural Community Safety Day on Sunday with road safety messages targeted at communities in country areas.

"The Community Safety Day is going be a fun-filled event for the whole family. As well as road safety messages there will be other promotional activities from the Fire Service, Police, Civil Defence and St John.

"Drawcard events are likely to be the Reporoa Tractor Pull and the Bay of Plenty District Finals of the ANZ Young Farmer contest.

"There's also heaps on the programme for kids including pony rides, puppets, face painting, go-kart rides, magic carpet, competitions, and Santa is expected to make an appearance too," said Ms Lawson.

The Rural Community Safety Day is on Sunday from 9am to 4pm at Reporoa Domain on East Road.

Entry is by gold coin donation with proceeds going to the Rescue Helicopter service.

END

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