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Wellington.govt.nz - Services & Information

Road Safety Campaigns

Pedestrians on Lambton Quay

Getting around the city is an essential part of Wellington life, and everyone is a pedestrian, cyclist, driver or passenger at some time of the day.

Wellington has one of the highest commuter walking rates in New Zealand, and an increasing number of cyclists but city streets are still busy with cars, trucks and buses.

To stay safe on Wellington streets it is important to drive, cycle or walk with care, and be aware of other road users.

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 car seat 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, car seats become worn and unsafe - regularly check the condition of your car seat.

For more information go to the Plunket website or call your local Plunket branch.

Car Safety - Plunket website

Keeping Wellington Safe

Wellington City Council conducts ongoing road safety initiatives.

Current campaigns include:

Stop, Look, Live pedestrian campaign
moped safety
supporting the school patrols.

Stop, Look, Live

Many accidents on Wellington's city roads could be prevented by pedestrians looking out for traffic before stepping onto the road.

Wellington is generally considered to have a safe walking environment. Narrow streets and a lower speed limit on some city streets add to this security, however the exact speed of oncoming vehicles can be deceiving.

The Stop, Look, Live road safety campaign is helping reduce the city's high pedestrian accident rate.

This campaign aims:

to remind people to see and remember simple road safety messages
to encourage pedestrians to look out for traffic before they cross the road.

Moped Safety

Mopeds are becoming an increasingly popular choice as more Wellingtonians opt for cheaper modes of transport. Moped riders, like other motorists who travel safely, need to follow the road rules and licensing requirements for their vehicle.

Road Safety Tips

A moment of inattention can change your life forever whether you are on foot, cycling or driving.

Pedestrians:

cross the road in a safe place
look for traffic before stepping off the kerb
pay attention - don't let mobile telephones or headphones distract you.

Cyclists:

be prepared – even if you think your journey will be complete by dark
equip your bicycle with lights and reflectors
check batteries are working.

Drivers:

remember that children are still learning about the road, and may not behave as you expect
slow down in school zones
park legally and safely when dropping children off - double-parking and stopping on yellow lines restricts vision for school patrols, and creates an unsafe environment for children around school gates.