Sally Murphy
Auckland, January 6, 2021
Motorsport legend Greg Murphy has said that the appalling holiday road toll shows that New Zealanders need better education before getting behind the wheel.
Eleven people were killed on the roads between Christmas Eve and Tuesday (January 5, 2021) morning – four were killed in the same period last year.
Mr Murphy, who helps run Street Smart, a driver education course, said it was too easy to get a driving license.
Licensing system archaic
“I am really saddened again by the situation and the fact that it is an ongoing issue and that we are not making any changes. The stock standard comments by those that are in high places every holiday period should be wearing thin on all New Zealanders, it’s just the same stuff every year -words are not fixing the problem we need actions,” he said.
Mr Murphy said that the licensing system was archaic and it was time for an overhaul.
“We need to look after drivers better by training them better, making them more aware and prepared for the things they face every day on the roads. We need to start with better theory around the road rules, teach people about the physics of motor vehicles, and teach them about safety,” he said.
There was nothing in the current licensing system which taught motorists why they needed tread on tyres, he said.
ABS now mandatory
“The other thing that is not mentioned is the anti-lock braking system (ABS). I think that probably 80% of people do not even know what it is or what it does and it is the first line of defence in driving a motor vehicle,” Mr Murphy said.
All cars that are imported into the country must have ABS, and last year the New Zealand Land Transport Agency made it mandatory for all new model motorcycles over 125cc to have the system.
“If you slam on the breaks, it does not lock the front wheels of your car; so, as much as you break, they will still rotate, which means you still have control over the vehicle,” he said.
Driving Course important
As well as more theory training and assessment, he said there should be a much bigger practical component to license testing.
“You should have to do a course where you do awareness training, learn about emergency training, do hazard identification, and learn about peripheral awareness. It is all good spending millions of dollars on updating roads and installing barriers but it’s the ambulance at the bottom of the cliff. I have tried to talk to ministers and officials about my concerns for years but nothing eventuates or changes. The toll that road deaths take on families and communities needs to be considered when decisions are being made,” Mr Murphy said.
Sally Murphy is a Reporter at Radio New Zealand. The above story and picture have been published under a Special Agreement with www.rnz.co.nz
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