It’s Road Safety Week (4-10 May 2026) and communities across the country are calling on everyone to Be a road safety hero, to help save lives on our roads.

Data from the National Trauma Network shows that road crashes are the largest cause of serious trauma in New Zealand, accounting for almost half (49%) of all major trauma cases [1]. The report also shows that young people, particularly young males, are over-represented in trauma statistics.

This year’s Road Safety Week campaign, coordinated by Brake, the road safety charity and sponsored by NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA), Beca, and ACC, urges everyone to be a road safety hero and make simple commitments to help make our communities safer and protect all road users, including driving sober, keeping below speed limits, and not using a phone at the wheel.

Caroline Perry, Brake’s NZ Director says: “Everyone should be able to get around in safe and healthy ways, every day. This data from the National Trauma Network highlights that crashes are a significant cause of major trauma. As an organisation that supports people affected by crashes, we see the devastating impact they have on victims and their families. Whilst 2025 saw another reduction in the number of fatal crashes compared to the previous year, 272 people still tragically lost their lives [2], and many more suffered serious injuries. We all have a part to play in making our roads safer, and that includes doing everything we can to keep ourselves and others safe.”

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Dr Max Raos, Co-Lead, National Trauma Network says: “Every day from roadside to rehabilitation, we see the full impact of road harm on patients and whānau. Drive to the conditions, not just the limit. Safer choices save lives.”

Road crashes are a significant cause of injury in New Zealand. While they make up less than two percent of all ACC injury claims, they accounted for 11 percent of ACC’s total injury costs in 2025 — around $792 million — reflecting the severity and complexity of these injuries. Young drivers aged 16-24 are disproportionately represented in serious crashes and related injuries.

ACC injury prevention lead, James Whitaker, says ACC is collaborating with Brake on Road Safety Week to promote two clear and proven ways young people can reduce their crash and injury risks while on the road.

“Road injuries have a significant impact on individuals, families and communities,” Mr Whitaker says.

"Young drivers are among the most at risk on NZ roads and they are four times as likely to be in a crash if they are using their phones while driving. This is why ACC, NZTA and NZ Police have actively encouraged people to Ghost their mates while driving by putting their phones on do not disturb before they get behind the wheel."

"We (ACC) are aware drivers aged 16-24yrs are most at risk in their first couple of years of driving. For this reason, ACC has worked with NZTA to make the Drive programme available to new drivers and their driving coaches (often parents, caregivers or other more experienced adult drivers they know). Young people who have used Drive are 28% less likely to have a crash related injury claim than other young drivers who have not engaged with Drive. Each year around 80,000 people register on Drive, and we encourage everyone to check it out."

Around the country schools, companies, communities, emergency services and road safety professionals will be sharing road safety messages and recognising their own road safety heroes. It’s not too late to take part, visit www.roadsafetyweek.org.nz to find out more and sign up.

Activities include Beca and NZTA visiting schools around the country with contractor partners to run activities on safety around roadworks. Almost 200 schools are registered to take part in Road Patrol Superhero Day on Wednesday 6 May, sponsored by the AA, to celebrate road patrollers as Road Safety Heroes.

NZTA Strategy Director - Safety, Fabian Marsh, says NZTA is proud to sponsor Road Safety Week 2026, as making New Zealand roads safer for everyone is a top priority for the organisation.

“Road Safety Week is a great way to help highlight people and organisations already involved in improving road safety, and to help raise awareness of road safety in local communities.”

Andrea Rickard, Managing Director, New Zealand, Beca says: “Reducing harm on Aotearoa’s roads is a vital part of our work at Beca. We’re proud to again stand alongside Brake, NZ Transport Agency, our partners and all the road safety heroes in communities across the motu who work every day to make our roads safer. I know our Beca teams around New Zealand are excited to get out and promote road safety messages in the communities we live and work in, including teaching students in our local schools about how to stay safe on and around roads.”

Brake will be profiling the work of Road Safety Heroes around the country throughout the week. The Yellow Ribbon Road Safety Alliance will also announce winners of the Road Safety Hero Awards. Communities across the country will also be celebrating their own local Road Safety Heroes.

“There are lots of people who work to make our roads safer, to save lives when crashes happen, and to support those affected by crashes. This year in Road Safety Week we want people to join us in acknowledging all those who work to save lives on roads across the country – and recognise that we can all be road safety heroes by using roads safely and taking actions for road safety in our families, schools, communities and where we work,” Ms Perry said.

Thanks to Vector Lights and the Yellow Ribbon Road Safety Alliance, the Auckland Harbour Bridge will shine yellow during Road Safety Week to raise awareness of road safety. Other locations around the country will also light yellow.

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