The latest updates from Trafinz
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REGIONAL ROAD SAFETY PROMOTION PROGRAMME
A summary of the regional road safety promotion programme (RRSPP) has recently been provided by NZTA Waka Kotahi for the 2024-25 year. It showcases the great work Road Safety Coordinators are delivering and demonstrates how the RRSPP helps reinforce road safety messages and educational material developed at a national level.
Over 3700 initiatives were delivered in the 24-25 year, from walking school buses to displays at community events to court-referred programmes for repeat driving offenders. Total programme spend was $11.6 million. Approximately 60% of the activities focused on key risk factors (restraints, impairment, distraction and speed) and enforcement, and 30% on vulnerable road users. In addition, road safety coordinators carried out road safety promotion on topics of local importance using a smaller share of regional programme funds.
Given the diversity in how initiatives are delivered, the summary uses twelve case studies to illustrate how regional road safety promotion is carried out.
All initiatives completed in the Programme follow one of the guiding principles set out in New Zealand’s Road Safety Objectives, that road safety is everyone’s responsibility, with road users having a role to play in improving road safety outcomes.
TRANSPORTATION CONFERENCE 2026 UPDATE
The Transportation Conference 2026 is just around the corner and along with our partnership of the conference, we're thrilled to be sponsoring plenary speaker Prof. Shanthi Ameratunga.
A paediatrician and public health physician by training, Shanthi holds honorary professorial appointments at The University of Auckland, Monash University and University College London. Alongside clinical roles at Middlemore and Kidz First Hospitals, Shanthi is engaged in local and international research collaborations focusing on injury prevention, trauma outcomes, disability, and accessible transport.
She has a keen interest in practices and policies supporting meaningful social participation of disabled people, children and older communities. She has served on WHO Expert Advisory Groups in Violence & Injury Prevention, Adolescent Health, and the WHO-UNICEF-Lance Commission ‘A Future for the World’s Children’.
Visit the conference website to learn more!
Another fantastic presenter Trafinz knows well has just been announced! Professor Susan Krumdieck MNZM will now be presenting at the conference.
On her way back to NZ to visit family, Susan will be presenting a keynote at a European conference on transportation, cities and the needs of households, that is actually (they say) inspired by the work her group did in New Zealand. So, she wants everyone to know that Europe thinks we are leading the thinking.
Professor Krumdieck is Chair in Energy Transition Engineering at Heriot-Watt University in Scotland, Research Leader of the Islands Centre for Net Zero. The ICNZ was announced in 2021 with £33M in core and matching funding. The ICNZ mission is to accelerate transition from the ground up by inventing the TransitionScaping processes and tools.
Before taking the position in Scotland, Susan was Professor of Mechanical Engineering at University of Canterbury in New Zealand for 20 years where her research made major contributions in transportation, freight, sustainable complex systems, and energy systems in support of industry, local and central government, and communities.
WE'RE EXHIBITING AT THE CONFERENCE!
Come and see us at the conference at Stand #13 - meet some of the executive and other Trafinz members during the breaks!
You'll also be able to view details on the finalists for the Trafinz Achievement award.
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TRAFINZ ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS
We've received records submissions for the Trafinz Achievement Awards - a testament to all of the hard work in transportation safety and sustainability throughout New Zealand.
Join us at the Transportation Conference 2026 Dinner, sponsored by Tonkin + Taylor, to celebrate the finalists and award recipients.
ROAD SIDE DRUG TESTING STARTS
Drugs were present in 33.8% of all fatal crashes on our roads between 2019–2023. Police started roadside drug testing in December last year with a small managed roll out in Wellington. The roll out of the roadside drug driving testing nationally is planned to commence from April 2026.
The drug screening device looks like this. At the roadside the driver will undertake a drug screening test of saliva for the presence of THC (cannabis), cocaine, methamphetamine and MDMA (ecstasy) (which are tested for in the same channel) at a level that indicates recent use. If the drug screening test is positive a saliva sample is taken for laboratory testing for all the 25 qualifying drugs listed in the Land Transport Act 1998. A second drug screening test is then undertaken at the roadside and if that is also positive the driver is prohibited from driving for 12 hours.
If the laboratory testing is positive an infringement is issued to the driver by mail. If one drug was present in the laboratory testing the fine is $200 and 50 licence demerit points. If two or more drugs are present, the fine is $400 and 75 licence demerit points. Refusal or failure to remain or accompany an officer or undertake a test without delay is liable for a $400 fine, 75 licence demerit points and prohibition from driving for 12 hours.
It should be noted that there are combination offences, including offences where a driver has tested positive for both alcohol and drugs. Penalties for combination offences are usually higher to reflect the higher crash risk. More information on the programme is available here.
