Media statement | 18 July 2007

Land Transport NZ supports Rail Safety Awareness Week

Land Transport NZ is supporting the efforts of the New Zealand rail industry to promote safety around rail tracks and level crossings.

Events promoting rail safety awareness will be taking place across Australia and New Zealand as part of Australasian Rail Safety Awareness Week, running from July 23 to July 29. Advertising and other activities in New Zealand will concentrate on the need for motorists, pedestrians and cyclists to take extreme care when entering or crossing the rail network.

A series of hard-hitting television advertisements will screen throughout the week to drive home the messages that tracks are for trains, and even a moment’s inattention around the rail network can lead to tragedy.

The advertisements are supported by Toll Rail, ONTRACK, Land Transport NZ, Greater Wellington Regional Council and the Chris Cairns Foundation. Land Transport New Zealand is also funding a nationwide print advertising campaign and a series of rail safety radio ads voiced by Chris Cairns.

Billboards reminding drivers of the risks of level crossings will support the campaign, and ONTRACK will run a separate initiative to raise awareness of safety at level crossings on private roads.

Ontrack website
Facts and figures about rail safety: http://www.ontrack.govt.nz/Portals/1/LXbackgroundinfoJuly07.pdf

Rail safety awareness week advertising
The television, radio and print campaign advertising.

Australasian Rail Association website
National Rail safety week pages and resources: http://www.ara.net.au/national_rail_safety_week.htm

For more information:

Andy Knackstedt
Land Transport NZ Media Manager
(04) 931-8829 or 0212 763 222