Families and community groups urged to get involved in Road Safety Week 2015

Families and community groups are being encouraged to sign up to get involved in Road Safety Week 2015 (4-10 May), to help make our communities safer for children. Parents and community leaders can log onto www.roadsafetyweek.org.nz for ideas on how they can make a difference, and to register for a free e-action pack.

Road Safety Week is coordinated by Brake, the road safety charity, and supported by sponsors QBE Insurance. It's an ideal opportunity for community groups, families, schools and companies to take action on local road safety issues, and run activities and campaigns to promote safe road use and prevent needless casualties.

Parents and budding community road safety champions can find ideas on getting involved and register by going to www.roadsafetyweek.org.nz. Everyone who registers will be sent a free email action pack with downloadable road safety posters, plus tips, advice and case studies to help plan successful activities for the Week.

Brake's main theme for 2014 is Look out for kids. Brake will be appealing to everyone to look out for some of our most vulnerable road users, children, and help to keep them safe on roads. We're particularly calling on drivers to protect children by slowing down around schools and in communities and keeping their full attention on the task of driving.

Children make mistakes, they don't understand risks as well as adults, but they don't deserve to lose their life or be seriously injured because of it.

Groups and families can choose to run their initiative on this theme or any other road safety topic, according to their priorities.

Caroline Perry, Brake's NZ Director says: Road safety is a critical issue for all families and communities, and we're calling on parents and community leaders to play their part in making roads safer. Road Safety Week is a perfect opportunity to take action on local road safety issues, by campaigning, raising awareness and making a difference by reminding drivers to slow down in communities and look out for kids. We'll be calling on drivers to slow down outside schools, homes and shops and reminding everyone to help protect children around roads. Communities and families play a key role in helping to reinforce this message.

The Road Safety Week website is full of ideas: log on now to register for your e-action pack and start planning how you'll get involved in this life-saving, awareness-raising event.

Val Graham, marketing & communications manager at QBE said: "At QBE, we firmly believe that we have a responsibility to be a good corporate citizen in the communities in which we operate. This is one of the reasons that QBE Insurance in New Zealand is now in its fourth year of support for Brake and Road Safety Week. QBE sees the week as a great way to stimulate commitment - both personal and corporate - to road safety, and we are very pleased to continue with this community initiative."

Road Safety Week has the support of other agencies and organisations including NZ Transport Agency, ACC and NZ Police.