Independent views By Brendan Horan

I was less than surprised to read Ian Campion's comments recently in the media, where he expressed frustration at the number of fatal road crashes on local roads, saying the region has already reached the same road toll number for the whole of last year.

I've noted previously the funding from the New Zealand Transport Agency, a major funder for road safety programmes, was reduced by 33 per cent in 2011; at the same time they made their road safety educator advisors redundant.

I also noted much of the funding spent on road safety education locally is being diverted to supporting other programmes council considers their priority.

‘Kids on feet' is an example of a programme funded from other criteria and abandoned by the current Government's Safer Journey's Strategy.

The upshot is many of the successful community-based road safety programmes and local initiatives have been abandoned.

These programmes, through often subtle in their approach, did act as constant reminders to our community of the dangers out there on our roads; they had a measureable impact.

We now appear to be paying the price. There is no secret why it is called road toll; as this is a price we seem to collectively accept from our transport systems.

Like Mr Campion, I too am frustrated at this outcome. I predicted, at the time of the funding decreases, if we took our foot off the pedal with community road safety education this would be the outcome.

A recent review of the region's road safety action plans has been undertaken by an independent local government committee, empowered to review the deaths of infants and youth.

It has concluded the plans focus primarily on funding advertising campaigns, as a means of achieving delivery outcomes, and identified priority areas of alcohol, drugs, young drivers, speed, restraints and fatigue.

It is the view of the committee that the plan doesn't meet the needs of the district-respective communities and in particular remote and rural areas.

They recommended a return to more sustainable funding, community-based programmes and development of a collaborated regional delivered model, locally available, assessable and face-to-face, routinely monitored and supported by advertising. I agree.

If you would like to share your thoughts on this or any other issues concerning you, please contact me.

Facebook.com/Brendan.horan.336
twitter.com/brendanhoran or Phone Brendan on 574 0253.