This Road Safety Week, Marlburians are urged to be more vigilant near pedestrian crossings and report near misses.

Council’s Multi Model Advisor Charlotte Campbell-Lamerton says it is timely to remind drivers to be aware around pedestrian crossings. “Pedestrians on a zebra crossing have right of way. Drivers should remember that this includes pedestrians who are waiting to cross or already crossing.”

In Blenheim and Picton there are also quite a few ‘courtesy crossings’ made of bricks or paving or raised above the level of the road. “These are intended to facilitate eye contact between pedestrians and drivers resulting in a mutually negotiated position over who goes first,” Charlotte said.

“They provide a place where drivers can stop safely to allow pedestrians to cross. Drivers are not required to stop at courtesy crossings however the official New Zealand road code recommends that drivers are courteous to pedestrians using or waiting to use a courtesy crossing.”

Charlotte said Council also collected data on walking and cycling related near misses and crashes.

“This data is used to better understand road safety issues across our road and reserve network so safety adjustments can be made. Please go to Council’s website and fill in the Bike/Walk Crash and Near Miss Report form about any close calls when you're out walking or cycling around Marlborough.”

“Blenheim cycle shop Bikes and Scooters recently designed a QR code to help make it easier for people to report a near miss on Council’s website. This is a great example of being a road safety hero,” Charlotte said.

Road Safety Week 2025 from 12 to 18 May recognises everyone who is working to make our roads safer and support people following crashes.

“It also enables everyone who uses roads to understand how they can take responsibility for their own safety and the safety of others. That’s a great message for us all to remember,” Charlotte said.

For more information go to: www.roadsafetyweek.org.nz

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