Road Safety Week activities 2012
Lots of people were involved in Road Safety Week 2012! Schools, kindergartens, companies, community groups and road safety professionals all joined in by holding awareness-raising events in their community.
Road Safety Week launch
Brake launched Road Safety Week on Tuesday 8 May 2012 in Aotea Square, Auckland. Representatives from the emergency services, NZ Transport Agency, ACC, Auckland Transport, Living Streets, Cycling Action Auckland and our sponsors, QBE Insurance all attended. Students from Stanley Bay School also came down to take part in a photo call and were given a talk by the fire service and St John. Mark Ebery, whose wife Prue was killed in a car crash, also attended. You can read Prue's story here.
Schools and kindy
Te Kura o Torere have been campaigning for slower speeds outside their school throughout 2012 and during Road Safety Week. They also held a mufti day.
Greenacres School held a road safety party with activities such as road safety aerobics and a treasure hunt. Parents and carers were rewarded for law-abiding and considerate parking with packs of goodies. The student 'Cone Head' team delivered road safety messages through a drama and comedy performance in assembly.
The SADD (Students Against Driving Drunk) group at Waiuku College held a Bake Sale and encouraged students to sign the Brake Pledge. Each student who signed the Pledge received a Road Safety Week wristband and sticker from Auckland Transport.
Pahiatua School held a march in their town with children from the school holding up banners to remind drivers to slow down outside their school.
Gleniti School used Road Safety Week posters as part of their 'Stepping Out' road safety programme.
Freeman's Bay School had the Police working with the juniors on road safety and the TravelWise team are sharing road safety messages with classes. They also held a walking bus.
Nina Busing Kindergarten had a visit from Plunket who talked about car safety seats and safety around cars using a DVD and props.
Argyll East School organised lots of activities, working in groups to look at how much they already know about road safety, using the school bus to role play how to be safe, drawing road safety pictures and singing road safety songs. Their activities were also put in the school newsletter and photos went on their blog.
Rangiwaea School had a school-wide focus on road safety for a few weeks in the run up to Road Safety Week. The students completed the unit on Friday 11 May with a trip to town where the local constable assessed their pedestrian safety skills. The school also looked at cycle safety.
Rhode Street School is held a Bright mufti Day - Be Bright Be Seen, and made road safety posters to put in the local community.
Students at Murray's Bay Intermediate School, Auckland, came up with their own Road Safety Week banners and billboards as part of an advertising unit they were studying.
Swannanoa School near Christchurch held a protest walking bus in to school on Monday 7 May telling drivers to slow down outside their school and in their community.
Richmond Road School in Auckland held a Wheelie Wednesday during Road Safety Week, when students are encouraged to come to school sustainably and safely with their bike, scooter, skateboard or roller skates.
Beachlands School in Auckland put Road Safety Week posters up around school and held a Bright Day in aid of Brake on the Friday.
Wairau Valley School in Blenheim asked drivers to slow down around school buses and to pass them at the correct speed of 20km/h.
Brookby School staged a silent protest with anti-speed slogans on boards and banners outside the school telling drivers to slow down.
Amisfield School in Tokoroa used Road Safety Week posters around school and held a Bright Bike Safety Day.
Carterton School ran bike education and safety sessions in school during Road Safety Week, along with a dress up your bike competition. They also held a mufti day in aid of Brake.
Dairy Flat Primary School had a Bright Mufti Day and parade, including road safety garments made by the children in their technology lessons, promoting 'Be Bright, Be Seen'. They raised a fantastic $233.70 for Brake.
Companies
SurePlan New Zealand and First Assistance worked with some of their business partners to send out road safety information to drivers urging them to Pledge to drive safely. They also made Road Safety Week muffins which were sold in aid of Brake and held a Bright Day. They raised $289!
QBE Insurance held a Bright Day in aid of Brake across its New Zealand offices, where everyone comes to work dressed brightly to draw attention to the plight of people on foot and bicycles, in return for a donation for Brake.
TNL Group focused on the topic of speed with its drivers during Road Safety Week.
Northpower Ltd communicated road safety messages to its staff through the company newsletter, and a quiz and competition.
Community groups and road safety professionals
Waimakariri District Council ran a road safety campaign at intersections throughout the district.
Walk Auckland plans to hold a birthday party in Ponsonby to celebrate a year of having a 40km/h speed limit on a major road in the area. Members will also be thanking drivers for driving at 40 down the road.
Auckland Transport provided wristbands and stickers with road safety messages to schools and pre-schools in some areas.
NZ Police's education unit in Auckland ran a "Buckle Up" campaign with Panama Road Primary School and Otahuhu Primary, showing kids and parents why it's important to have the correct car seats fitted and use seatbelts. Panama Road had a 'School Safety Team' who measured the height of children and handed out information on car seats, and handed out rewards for safe walkers walking to and from school.