Latest news with #RoadSafetyWeek
Scoop
09-06-2025
- Scoop
Turning The Tide: New Zealanders Unite To Curb Harmful Drinking
Press Release – Alcohol Beverages Council Most of us agree that targeted education and support programmes create a better understanding of responsible drinking a fact borne out by the fact that 70% of the New Zealanders surveyed agreed that such programmes reduce alcohol-related harm, … 'New Zealanders strongly support confiscating cars from repeat drink drivers, targeted support programmes for harmful drinkers and alcohol education programmes in schools', said NZABC Executive Director Virginia Nicholls. For the past six years the NZ Alcohol Beverages Council (NZABC) has independently surveyed 1000 Kiwis [i] and found the support for the following (net harm) reduction measures continue to have significant support: Confiscating cars from repeat drink drivers +79% (2019: 80%) Targeted support programmes for harmful drinkers +78% (2019: same) Alcohol education programmes in schools +70% (2019: 72%) Heavier fines for drunk and disorderly behaviour +59% (2019: 56%) Allow Police to issue spot fines for minor alcohol related offences +55% (2019: 36%) Use alcohol interlocks in cars to reduce drink driving +54% (2021: same) Alcohol education programmes in workplaces +44% (2022: 54%) Since 2014 the total number of New Zealanders convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs [ii] has declined by 27% from 20,972 to 15,365 (2024). Men factor in the stats considerably more than women with nearly four out of five convictions for drink driving and/or drugs are men [iii]. The recent NZ Road Safety Week showed the number of alcohol-related road deaths reduced by nearly 40% [iv] (from 2023 to 2024). Alcohol interlock court mandated orders have increased from 262 (2015) to 3,972 in 2024. [v]. From 2018, alcohol interlock orders became mandatory (with some exceptions) for repeat offences and first offences with very high breath or blood alcohol readings. 'Most of us agree that targeted education and support programmes create a better understanding of responsible drinking – a fact borne out by the fact that 70% of the New Zealanders surveyed agreed that such programmes reduce alcohol-related harm', said Virginia. Since 2019 the Tomorrow Project – a social change charity governed by Spirits NZ, NZ Winegrowers and the Brewers Association has funded the Life Education Trust to deliver 'Smashed' a theatre-in-education programme for high school students that provides practical information and advice to support better decision making. Independent research [vi] showed the programme was supporting positive changes to youth drinking culture. In NZ we are drinking less and drinking better with the move to moderation as part of a balanced lifestyle. The annual NZ Health survey [vii] provides information on New Zealander's health and wellbeing shows that 83.4% of NZ adults (five out of six of us) are drinking beer, wine and spirits responsibly. This is an increase of 4.7 percentage points over the past four years (78.7% 2019/20). Hazardous drinking [viii] or harmful alcohol consumption among adults over the past four years has declined to 16.6% (21.3% 2019/20). The Stats NZ alcohol consumption per capita has also declined by 28.3% since 1986 [ix]. [i] Curia market research October 2024, 1000 adult respondents [ii] Driving under the influence: The number of finalised charges and number of people with finalised charges and convicted of driving while under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. Also includes number of people with orders for alcohol interlock devices. In 2014 there were 20,972 convicted. NZ total driving under the influence 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 Convicted 16,290 16,000 16,207 16,621 16,245 13,571 13,920 15,078 15,682 15,365 alcohol interlock orders 262 345 331 1,700 3,582 3,089 3,538 3,764 3,864 3,972 Alcohol interlock orders became a sentencing option in September 2012. From July 2018 alcohol interlock orders became mandatory (with some exceptions) for repeat offences and first offences with very high breath or blood alcohol readings under section 65A of the Land Transport Act 1998. Section 65A of the Land Transport Act Ministry of Justice (NZ): driving under the influence: Data tables | New Zealand Ministry of Justice, accessed 6 May 2025 [iii] In 2024 78% of men and 22% of women were convicted of driving under the influence offences in NZ (driving under influence of alcohol and/or drug). People convicted of driving under the influence offences in New Zealand – accessed 3 June 2025 [iv] Hon Chris Bishop and Hon Mark Mitchell 2024 compared with year before: Roadside breath testing up; alcohol-related road deaths down | , accessed 3 June 25 [v] See (ii) [vi] Smashed 'showed us ways to deal with peer pressure,' NZCER, September 2022 [vii] New Zealand Health Survey | Ministry of Health NZ, accessed 19 November 2024 [viii] Hazardous drinking among the total population. Hazardous drinking refers to a score of 8 or more on the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT), which suggests hazardous or harmful alcohol consumption. [ix] Stats NZ: Total NZ population 15 years and over alcohol available for consumption (per head of population). Year end 1986 (10.730 litres), year end March 2025 (7.690 litres): View table – Infoshare – Statistics New Zealand accessed 26 May 2025.
Scoop
09-06-2025
- Scoop
Turning The Tide: New Zealanders Unite To Curb Harmful Drinking
Press Release – Alcohol Beverages Council Most of us agree that targeted education and support programmes create a better understanding of responsible drinking a fact borne out by the fact that 70% of the New Zealanders surveyed agreed that such programmes reduce alcohol-related harm, … 'New Zealanders strongly support confiscating cars from repeat drink drivers, targeted support programmes for harmful drinkers and alcohol education programmes in schools', said NZABC Executive Director Virginia Nicholls. For the past six years the NZ Alcohol Beverages Council (NZABC) has independently surveyed 1000 Kiwis [i] and found the support for the following (net harm) reduction measures continue to have significant support: Confiscating cars from repeat drink drivers +79% (2019: 80%) Targeted support programmes for harmful drinkers +78% (2019: same) Alcohol education programmes in schools +70% (2019: 72%) Heavier fines for drunk and disorderly behaviour +59% (2019: 56%) Allow Police to issue spot fines for minor alcohol related offences +55% (2019: 36%) Use alcohol interlocks in cars to reduce drink driving +54% (2021: same) Alcohol education programmes in workplaces +44% (2022: 54%) Since 2014 the total number of New Zealanders convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs [ii] has declined by 27% from 20,972 to 15,365 (2024). Men factor in the stats considerably more than women with nearly four out of five convictions for drink driving and/or drugs are men [iii]. The recent NZ Road Safety Week showed the number of alcohol-related road deaths reduced by nearly 40% [iv] (from 2023 to 2024). Alcohol interlock court mandated orders have increased from 262 (2015) to 3,972 in 2024. [v]. From 2018, alcohol interlock orders became mandatory (with some exceptions) for repeat offences and first offences with very high breath or blood alcohol readings. 'Most of us agree that targeted education and support programmes create a better understanding of responsible drinking – a fact borne out by the fact that 70% of the New Zealanders surveyed agreed that such programmes reduce alcohol-related harm', said Virginia. Since 2019 the Tomorrow Project – a social change charity governed by Spirits NZ, NZ Winegrowers and the Brewers Association has funded the Life Education Trust to deliver 'Smashed' a theatre-in-education programme for high school students that provides practical information and advice to support better decision making. Independent research [vi] showed the programme was supporting positive changes to youth drinking culture. In NZ we are drinking less and drinking better with the move to moderation as part of a balanced lifestyle. The annual NZ Health survey [vii] provides information on New Zealander's health and wellbeing shows that 83.4% of NZ adults (five out of six of us) are drinking beer, wine and spirits responsibly. This is an increase of 4.7 percentage points over the past four years (78.7% 2019/20). Hazardous drinking [viii] or harmful alcohol consumption among adults over the past four years has declined to 16.6% (21.3% 2019/20). The Stats NZ alcohol consumption per capita has also declined by 28.3% since 1986 [ix]. [i] Curia market research October 2024, 1000 adult respondents [ii] Driving under the influence: The number of finalised charges and number of people with finalised charges and convicted of driving while under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. Also includes number of people with orders for alcohol interlock devices. In 2014 there were 20,972 convicted. NZ total driving under the influence 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 Convicted 16,290 16,000 16,207 16,621 16,245 13,571 13,920 15,078 15,682 15,365 alcohol interlock orders 262 345 331 1,700 3,582 3,089 3,538 3,764 3,864 3,972 Alcohol interlock orders became a sentencing option in September 2012. From July 2018 alcohol interlock orders became mandatory (with some exceptions) for repeat offences and first offences with very high breath or blood alcohol readings under section 65A of the Land Transport Act 1998. Section 65A of the Land Transport Act Ministry of Justice (NZ): driving under the influence: Data tables | New Zealand Ministry of Justice, accessed 6 May 2025 [iii] In 2024 78% of men and 22% of women were convicted of driving under the influence offences in NZ (driving under influence of alcohol and/or drug). People convicted of driving under the influence offences in New Zealand – accessed 3 June 2025 [iv] Hon Chris Bishop and Hon Mark Mitchell 2024 compared with year before: Roadside breath testing up; alcohol-related road deaths down | , accessed 3 June 25 [v] See (ii) [vi] Smashed 'showed us ways to deal with peer pressure,' NZCER, September 2022 [vii] New Zealand Health Survey | Ministry of Health NZ, accessed 19 November 2024 [viii] Hazardous drinking among the total population. Hazardous drinking refers to a score of 8 or more on the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT), which suggests hazardous or harmful alcohol consumption. [ix] Stats NZ: Total NZ population 15 years and over alcohol available for consumption (per head of population). Year end 1986 (10.730 litres), year end March 2025 (7.690 litres): View table – Infoshare – Statistics New Zealand accessed 26 May 2025.
New Indian Express
04-06-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
Odisha CM launches 55 road safety projects worth Rs 576 crore
BHUBANESWAR: Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Tuesday launched 55 road safety programmes and projects worth Rs 575.77 crore covering all the districts of the state. Inaugurating the Zero Accident Day and Road Safety Week programme here, the chief minister said accidents not only affect individuals and families but also have a significant impact on the state's economy. He said road accident-related deaths have become a significant problem in India with 75.2 per cent of such fatalities caused by speeding. 'Drivers often forget the golden rule of driving: 'Speed thrills, but it also kills'. Wrong-side driving, drunk driving and using mobile phones while driving contribute to accident-related deaths. People should be cautious and avoid these mistakes to ensure safety of their lives as well as others,' he said. The Zero Accident Day campaign will continue till June 28. It is being conducted in collaboration with IIT-Madras. On this occasion, Majhi launched 11 automated driving testing systems (ADTS) in various districts with an investment of Rs 24 crore. He also launched the second phase of the Driving Electronic Enforcement to Save Human Lives (DISHA) project worth Rs 215 crore, which will cover 485 km of national and state highways.
NZ Herald
18-05-2025
- NZ Herald
Drug-driving crackdown: Let's do what it takes to make roads safer and save lives
In a sobering precursor to this month's Road Safety Week, police – in the space of two days – released the names of 15 fatal crash victims from incidents dating back to the end of January. When you consider this is a mere fraction of the 121 road deaths from
NZ Herald
16-05-2025
- NZ Herald
Road Safety Week: Crash survivor urges smart driving after near-fatal accident
Papera said he remembered talking with his colleague about how he was going to spend his first pay cheque. Instead, his plans to splurge on a new jacket at Hunting and Fishing were thwarted. As Papera's co-worker turned onto a rural Glenbervie road on the outskirts of Whangārei, he was blinded by sunstrike. Unbeknownst to him, a cattle truck and trailer had been approaching and smashed into the left side of the vehicle. Papera bore the brunt of what should have been an unsurvivable crash. He has no recollection of the days and weeks that followed, but information from others has supplied him with the basics. He suffered a traumatic brain injury, a broken jaw, a punctured lung, facial fractures, a fractured T1 at the upper part of his spine, broken ribs, a fractured sternum and intra-oral injuries. Papera was rendered unconscious, and doctors placed him in an induced coma. Family and friends were unsure he would survive. Instead, almost four years later, he is walking, talking and eating – all things he had to learn to do again. 'It was hard because I was happy as I made progress, that really sort of cheered me up, but then at the same time, I did get sick of it because I just wanted to be back to normal.' Papera said that within a few weeks, he was planning his return to work. But the process would turn out to be much more challenging and prolonged than he could have expected. 'Once I recovered a bit more, I think I did realise how bad it was and how lucky I am,' he said. The shocking images of the accident that police shared with him also brought it home, he said. Papera said his experience inspired him to become a road safety advocate. It took so much effort from family, doctors and more to bring him to where he was today, he said. 'It's not worth going through it.' 'I don't want to see other people go through the same thing, because it's not nice. It's not nice for anyone.' Papera believes it is the fact that he cannot remember the crash that he is able to not only be in a car, but drive around. But that doesn't stop him from being a 'pretty cautious' driver, he said. His message to people this Road Safety Week is to be a smart driver. 'There is a lot to it. And when you've got so many risks and so many dangers, and then you put other stuff like drugs and alcohol or don't wear your seatbelt - you're just making those risks so much higher.' Papera is now 20, and he's desperate to get back to work. At the moment, he is still unable to return. But he said it was the drive of wanting to get his life back that kept him going. 'You definitely need an end goal.'
