Waikato Regional Council is taking a road safety message to hundreds of fleet managers who are gathering for the EROAD Fleet Day at Mystery Creek.

The annual one-day event is billed as the country’s largest fleet management conference, with this year over 1500 tickets sold with 15-plus speakers and over 70 exhibitors.

Among a range of speakers, Waikato Regional Council Manager of Transport Policy and Programmes, Bryan Sherritt, will talk about the ‘Safe System’ approach to road safety and fleet management and take part in a panel discussion. The Safe System is about reducing death and serious injury on our roads by addressing systemic factors in combination such as improving the road network, tackling unsafe speeds and lifting the safety of the country’s vehicle fleet. 

A council stand at the event will highlight road safety messaging including Ruben the Road Safety Bear, a programme teaching young children the basic skills to keep safe on the road.

“Fleet Day is an excellent opportunity to reach fleet managers directly with important road safety messaging,” says Bryan.

“The reality is that an estimated 25 per cent of death and injury crashes involve people who are on the road for work.

“We want everyone to get home safely, every day, not only because it’s the right thing to do, but it’s also good for business.”

 Waikato Regional Council provides leadership in road safety, ensuring that all activities across the region are effectively coordinated and the best safety outcomes are achieved for the regional community.

“We oversee the development and implementation of the region's guiding policies including the region’s Road Safety Strategy, and also have a specific role to play in road user education and advocacy to central government,” says Bryan.

Waikato Regional Council leads the Waikato Regional Road Safety Forum, a cross-agency collective formed to promote road safety initiatives and education through the Waikato region, in partnership with NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, ACC, district councils, NZ Police and local authorities.

Waikato Regional Council first established Fleet Day in 2012. The event is now run by EROAD with support from the council.