Rural Women NZ Applauds Coroner’s Call for Action

Rural Women New Zealand endorses the call by the chief coroner for it to become mandatory for coroners’ recommendations to be responded to by Government agencies.

“We agree with Judge Neil MacLean that coroners’ recommendations need to be considered and acted upon in order to save lives,” says RWNZ national president, Liz Evans.

“As an example, for the last five years Rural Women New Zealand has been advocating for more to be done to remind drivers of the 20km/h speed limit when passing a stationary school bus. 

“At least two coroners’ reports have recommended improved signage on buses as a way of reminding drivers of the need to slow down, as well as alerting drivers that a school bus has stopped ahead.”

In March Transport Engineering Research New Zealand conducted a trial of active 20km/h signs which showed encouraging results.  However the signs are still not approved for use on school buses.

“The technology is now available and Rural Women New Zealand has evidence of a huge public support for such signs.  It’s time for action,” says Mrs Evans.

Many school communities have indicated they would consider fundraising to cover the cost of the active 20km/h signs, but first they must be approved for use.

In the 23 years since 1987, twenty-three children have been killed in New Zealand when crossing the road to or from school buses, while 47 have been seriously injured and 92 have received minor injuries.

Last year 35 children and the bus driver were injured when a logging truck hit the rear of a school bus near Ruatoki in the Bay of Plenty.

For the report on the 20km/h school bus signs trial go to www.ruralwomen.org.nz and search ‘TERNZ’

ENDS

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