8. Hon MARK GOSCHE (Labour—Maungakiekie) Link to this
to the Minister of Transport
What initiatives are being taken aimed at further reducing the road toll?
Hon ANNETTE KING (Minister of Transport) Link to this
On Monday I announced a consultation programme, See You There—Safe As, which aims to seek the ideas of communities and stakeholders on ways of reducing the road toll that would have broad community support. The programme has a specific focus on the disproportionate risk faced by young and novice drivers. In order to make further substantive road safety gains, we need to engage with communities and enlist community support. This is the start of an ongoing process of improving the dialogue between communities and those developing and deciding policy in these areas.
Yes. The road toll is coming down, but we cannot afford to be complacent. Since 1999 the road toll has dropped by approximately 30 percent. In addition, the number of deaths per 10,000 vehicles now stands at 1.2, down from two in 1999, and is heading towards a target of 1.1 by 2010. But we have to do more. Our young people are at risk, particularly those between the ages of 0 and 14. The greatest cause of death of children in New Zealand is road accidents.
Peter BrownDoes the Minister expect that by significantly increasing the funding for roading, as the Government is at long last prepared to do, the road toll will be further reduced?
Yes, I think it all helps, not only in terms of road construction but also in terms of the road safety programme.
Does the Minister accept that the road toll would further decrease if greater use was made of coastal shipping to move freight; if so, will she be supportive of implementing favourable measures to encourage the development of our shipping; if not, why not?