The Safety MAN paid a visit to the Capital this week, visiting both Queens Wharf and the Beehive. The main purpose of the visit was two-fold. Firstly, to give the people of inner-city Wellington a chance to see the Safety MAN and understand that the road transport industry is proactive in education and the promotion of road safety and sharing the network. Secondly, showing key figures in Parliament the truck and the programme in order to raise their awareness and garner future support.

“We‘ve taken 13,000 people to date through the Safety MAN and the feedback and buy-in at every level has been fantastic,” said Dave Boyce, CEO of the New Zealand Trucking Association. “There‘s real evidence supporting the effectiveness of the Safety MAN message and we now have to increase the level of support it receives in order to increase the number of visits it makes, and the geographical range. What we‘d like is the Safety MAN operating as a full-time industry and community support and interaction tool nationwide, delivering multiple programmes and initiatives. But that will take a new level of buy in from key stakeholders and beneficiaries, both inside the industry and in government.”

Currently the Safety MAN delivers two programmes; Share the Road and Healthy Driver. Where time and resources allow, St John attend the Healthy Driver sessions, running spot checks on attendees.

“We‘ve had many requests for the truck in the North Island, places like Gisborne, but that will require an increased level of support and that‘s what this week‘s visit was all about, getting key people in front of what we‘re doing,” said Carol McGeady, New Zealand Trucking Association executive officer.

Minister Willie Jackson (Left) is briefed on the Safety MAN programme by NZ Trucking Association executive officer Carol McGeady and CEO Dave Boyce.

The truck saw a steady procession of interested – and impressed – parties, including Willie Jackson, Minister for Employment and Associate Minister for Maori Development, a senior delegation from the police including the CVST‘s top officer Kelly Ryan, representation from the Transport Minister‘s office, and senior education officials, and several MPs.

Dave Boyce said the exercise was highly successful and many key parties were engaged and are now aware of what the programme delivers, the success to date and the potential. “The key now is to keep the heat on.”