Road safety message brought to Fieldays

New Zealand Transport Agency is back at Fieldays for its seventh year to promote safety on all roads, from rural to highways.

Gary Brown, senior transport officer, and his team are answering questions about driving safely on all New Zealand roads.

“Our main message is safer journeys for all road users,” said Brown.

Along with promoting safer roads, NZTA also wants to show how the public can do things the right way, in regards to agricultural vehicle signage and for younger people who want to modify their cars.

“Boy racing seems to be an issue for the younger fellows,” said Brown.

“We have a car set up here, showing illegal modifications, and we are trying to say – this is the wrong way to do it, but also here is how to do it the right, legal way.”

NZTA also wants to remind people of the alcohol limits for drivers.

Brown said Fieldays is a great event to showcase and to build relationships with the rural community, but this wasn’t always the case when NZTA first started coming to Fieldays.

“The first year we [NZTA] came to Fieldays people would come up to us and say ‘What the hell are you doing here?’” said Brown.  “But since, each year we are more and more accepted, and we are seen like a resource, someone who you can ask questions or advice.”

“The public really relays on hearsay, and we are not seen as very accessible; so that is why we come here, we can be there for the community and to give them the right information.

“We all use the roads, we might as well use them the right way.”

NZTA finds Fieldays an important marketing tool, with each year bringing higher numbers through their display and tent.

Not only is it great marketing and a great way to spread their road safety message but the NZTA staff enjoys getting out into a different environment and connecting with the community.

“We love it here, we look forward to Fieldays each year,” said Brown.