It's Road Safety Week and Auckland Transport have shown their support. But what we need is action.
For all the promises of Vision Zero, there's too many issues being ignored. People are being hurt and killed, it's shameful. Last year 37 people were killed on Auckland roads and nearly 500 were seriously injured.
On paper Auckland has some great plans and strategies to make our city safer. But in reality, the focus shifts and the funds evaporate.
Not enough pedestrian crossings, too many missing legs.
Not enough protected cycleways, too much mixed traffic.
Not enough enforcement of rules, too many bad habits formed & endorsed by lack of action.
Not enough action, too much talk and promise.
In East Auckland we've seen primary school kids left to fend for themselves, forced to share roads with heavy construction vehicles and no footpaths while council debates who funds the solution. Thanks to the tireless work of their caring school and community, it's being addressed but it shouldn't take so much effort to keep people safe.
I don't blame the staff at Auckland Council or Auckland Transport - these issues are cultural and systemic. They're driven by poor governance, confused strategy and a lack of political will. Last year's Emergency Budget saw safety funding cut which our Councillors and Mayor knew would increase injuries and deaths but they voted for it anyway. If we were serious about safety (and we should be) then we'd prioritise it, not defund it.
In the meantime, travel safely and look out for others.