This paper commences with a review of the implementation of the National Road Safety Plan (NRSP) introduced in 1991. It then examines where New Zealand fits in the international context and makes some comments as to how we can maintain the recent improvements achieved in road safety. The paper takes the position that the improved safety performance over the last decade was underpinned by the progressive development of a ‘safety infrastructure’ and continuously improving safety management. The NRSP served to build on this foundation to produce a com-prehensive action plan to improve road safety. Major individual initiatives such as compulsory breath testing were important in maintaining the safety momentum. There is considerable scope for further improvements and for New Zealand to achieve the NRSP targets. (Author/publisher)
Abstract