Media statement
For immediate release
Thursday, 15 June 2006

Police Commissioner 'spot-on' on traffic black spots

United Future leader Peter Dunne says the Police Commissioner's willingness to make information available about traffic black spots is a refreshing change.

"Commissioner Broad seems to be adopting a realistic view about road safety with his emphasis on policing traffic black spots and dangerous driving situations over mindless ticketing.

"In particular, I welcome his willingness to make available information about traffic black spots and where they are.

"This is a vast change from the politically correct approach to road safety dished up for far too long by the Land Transport Safety Authority.

"I have tried in previous years to obtain information from the LTSA about where the country's traffic black spots are, but have been refused this on the ridiculous grounds that publicising them would simply draw attention to them and make motorists less careful and more complacent in other areas that are not black spots," Mr Dunne says.

Mr Dunne says Commissioner Broad seems to have a far more realistic approach, and it is to be hoped that his view can prevail over the self-righteous zeal of the LTSA.

"I think motorists will back Commissioner Broad if he is able to show that his focus is on dealing with the problem areas of road safety, including roading design and overall driving conditions, rather than the current broad brush approach that seems to view all drivers in all situations as equal risks.

"Releasing the national list of traffic black spots and focusing policing and road safety efforts on dealing with them as a priority would be a good start for the Commissioner to make," Mr Dunne says.

ENDS

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