Safety on the Roads

Road safety is everyone's responsibility.

To stay safe on Wellington streets, make sure that you take care when driving, cycling or walking and be aware of other road users.

Grants for Community Road Safety

If you have a road safety issue in your community and would like to set up an education programme, you may be eligible for the Council's Safe and Sustainable Transport Community grant.

Grants - Safe and Sustainable Transport Community Programme

Safety Campaigns

The Council carries out ongoing road safety initiatives including checkpoints and various safety campaigns.

Cycle Lights Campaign

Cyclists are more vulnerable than other vehicle users and need to be pro-active about their safety - taking all possible measures to be highly visible and well lit especially in winter. To encourage cyclists, Council staff and police will be out talking to cyclists as part of an annual safety campaign.

So, if you're not visible enough, we'll stop you and give you:

• a discount voucher to buy reflective gear and lights from a range of Wellington stores
• a set of temporary lights to get home safely.

We'll also be checking whether you comply with the road code. To brush up on cycle rules and safety, see:

Official NZ Code for Cyclists - NZ Transport Agency website

The cycle light discount vouchers will also be available from Greater Wellington Regional Council until 30 June 2012.

Office Contact and Location Details - Greater Wellington Regional Council website

About 1,000 commuter cyclists per hour come into the central business in peak hours. During 2005/9, the number of road casualties involving cyclists increased to 17% of all injury crashes. About two-thirds of all cycle crashes are caused by the vehicle driver and the most common crash factor is poor observation (60%).

Checkpoints for Child Restraints

Child safely restrained in vehicle

Always make sure your child is safely restrained when travelling in a vehicle. Here are some simple tips:

• The law requires that children under the age of five must be in an approved child restraint when travelling in a vehicle.
• If your child restraint has a tether strap, you are required by law to use it.
• Remember - the back seat is the safest place for your child.
• Baby capsules should always be rear-facing and should not be placed in the front seat if the vehicle has passenger side airbags.
• Over time, child restraints become worn and unsafe - regularly check the condition of your car seat.
• Remember - as the driver you are responsible for any passenger under the age of 15.

The Council and police regularly carry out child restraint checkpoints.

For more information contact your local Plunket branch or visit:

Back to Top of Page.

Car Safety - Plunket website

Intersection Safety Campaign

Over the period 2005/09, 43% of all crashes causing injury in Wellington city occured at intersections. The most common cause was poor observation - making up 42% of urban road crashes (812 crashes). Failure to give way / stop was the second most common factor, causing 26% (502 crashes).

The intersection safety campaign reminds motorists to make safe decisions at intersections. The Council and police are also targeting those motorists who ignore red traffic lights.

Pedestrian Safety Campaigns

Road safety campaign poster

Remember to stop and look both ways before crossing the road. Pay attention:

• Cross the road in a safe place
• Look for traffic before stepping off the kerb
• Don't let mobile phones or headphones distract you.

School Patrols - Orange Day

Students volunteer for and run the school road patrols during school terms, often in bad weather conditions. Orange Day is an annual parade recognising these children who give up their time to help others get to school safely.

If you are driving past a school while the road patrol is operating, remember:

• children are still learning about the road, and may not behave as you expect
• slow down around schools and areas where there are lots of pedestrians
• park legally and safely when dropping children off at school - double-parking or stopping on yellow lines limits vision for school patrols and creates an unsafe environment for children around school gates.

More Information

Anna Blomquist
Transport Safety Education Coordinator

Related Links

• Community Safety

Department Details:
Transport Group