Patrol cars turn red

The government has launched this summer’s road safety campaign, which will focus on preventing deaths and injuries by cutting speed and better police visibility. Transport Minister Gerry Brownlee says the measures align with Safer Journeys’ road safety strategy, the across-the-board approach covering all aspects of the road system. “In recent years we’ve changed the give-way rules, lowered alcohol limits for young drivers, launched targeted education for young drivers, strengthened driver licence tests and have progressed work on building safer roads,” he says. For the first time, the reduced speed tolerance is being extended beyond an official holiday period. The 4kph threshold will be enforced by the police during the whole of December and January. “The lower road tolls in the past couple of years show drivers are getting the message, but one death is too many,” adds Police Minister Anne Tolley. “Reducing speed can play a major part in making roads safer.” The police increase their visibility to raise awareness of road safety with a nationwide trial of 28 red and orange highway patrol cars. They will be rolled out over the next year as existing vehicles are replaced. The first orange car will be going to Tasman with a red vehicle on patrol in Northland. The next three coloured cars will be going to Eastern, Waikato and Canterbury districts before Christmas.