The programme for work on Hauraki roads during March and April includes the following activities. Works will be performed depending upon the weather conditions at the time. Please take extra care and be patient when travelling in the following areas during Road Works construction.
Area Wide Treatments (road reconstruction):
- Pukekauri Road, Waihi - 1700m located north of the Old Tauranga Road intersection
- Miranda Road - 599m located east of Fairview Road
- East Coast Road - 200m located near Rua One Place
Footpath Improvements:
Paeroa
- Riverbank Road - footpath improvements at Te Aroha Road
- Station Road - footpath link at Norwood Road
- Puke Road - footpath link and crossing point near Shoalhaven Street
- Edwards Place - threshold treatment at the Porritt Street intersection
Waihi
- Seddon Avenue - footpath link and crossing point near Rocket Park
- Richmal Street - footpath improvements
- Moresby Avenue - walkway signage improvements
- Evans Road - footpath improvements
- Barry Road - footpath improvements located near Roycroft Street
If you want to know about the latest conditions of North Island state highways, check on the NZ Transport Agency website.
Getting ready for that summer holiday road trip?
It's a great time to think about the safety of you and your family by making
sure that your car is road worthy.
Here are a few tips to help you get to your destination safely:
Prepare your vehicle – check your tyre pressure and condition, fluid levels, lights, clean your windscreen. It’s a good idea to give your vehicle a service before the start of summer
Prepare yourself - be rested before a long drive, plan the trip so you share the driving and take regular breaks to minimise fatigue
If you have children in the car ensure they are correctly restrained in an approved car seat
Check your load security and trailer coupling locks when towing a boat, trailer or caravan
A joint initiative between Paeroa Central School, NZ Police and Hauraki District Council has created a new Walking School Bus to Paeroa Central School.
Teachers "drive" the bus along the set route to the school, picking up children from their front gate.
There are heaps of benefits to the walking bus (it saves parents time and money, reduces traffic, keeps kids healthy, it's safe and convenient, and it's fun for kids), but it's especially great for teaching 5-8 year olds the valuable road safety skills they need to walk to school independently.
We
have a number of these around the Hauraki district so please look out
for children and reduce your speed close to schools. The crossings
generally only operate before and after school, 8-9am and 3-4pm. These
are run by trained school children. The crossing has swing arms that
come into the middle of the road from both sides to allow a safe area
for children to cross.
Remember children are little people, they can't see as much as adults. Patience and slow speeds
are necessary around schools.
Read about sharing the road with pedestrians
If a school bus has stopped to let children on or off you must slow down and drive at no more than 20km/h until you are well past the bus, travelling in either direction.
Did you know - 'An example of the enforcement action Police can take is as follows: travelling 51 km/h past a stationary bus will incur an infringement of $300. Travelling at 71 km/h past a stationary school bus will incur a loss of drivers license for 28 days and an appearance in Court.' - Quote: 14 April 2010 Police Media Release, Matamata-Piako Sub-Area Manager, Senior Sergeant Dana McDonald
Read more about speed limits in the New Zealand Rode Code.
A pilot programme is being run for one year (until June 2012) by St Johns to provide transport to the Thames or Waikato Hospitals for those who need it. The Hauraki District Council is working with Thames Coromandel District Council, Waikato Regional Council, St John, Community Waikato and Waikato District Health Board to provide this service.
Call 0800 934 287 to speak to the transport coordinator. Read more about this
The Plan B4 U Party campaign is supported by Councils and most local drinking establishments across the East Waikato.
The Plan B4 U Party logo (designed by Waiuku SADD college students) has been designed to get people to plan and think about the whole picture when partying, before they get stuck and make a bad decision such as drinking and driving.
Planning before you party, is a very simple way to not drink and drive, and therefore avoid a fine. Ordering a taxi or getting a sober mate to drive you home is the way to go.
SADD is a peer education programme that has been in New Zealand for over 20 years. The primary objective of SADD is to reduce the harm caused on our roads by drink drivers. The peer education programme is run in secondary schools by students, and can be incorporated into the school curriculum. The organisation is open to any student and SADD encourages participation from across the year levels.
For more information, check out the SADD website
Young Drivers / Restricted Licence Holders
A practical driving programme designed to help learner licence holders pass their restricted drivers licence test is available free online. Check out the website www.practice.co.nz
A toolkit for parents of teen drivers is also available to explain the licence process and the risks and skills in each phase. View the www.safeteendriver.co.nz website.
More information about driver licences can be found on the NZ Transport Agency website
| 6 Top Safety Tips |
| Be seen |
| Make yourself as visible as possible, with riding gear that makes you stand out. Position yourself strategically making yourself visible to other motorists. |
| Wear safety gear |
| Always wear your protective motorbike riding gear no matter how long or short your trip is. Gear that is designed for motorbike riding can make all the difference for your safety as well as improving the enjoyment of your ride. Street style footwear is likely to come off in a crash or a slide. |
| Ride to the conditions |
| You must be alert to the changing weather and road conditions at all times. Road conditions and weather can change without warning and around every corner there may be a hazard. Always ride your own ride and ride to keep yourself safe. |
| Take it easy |
| Ride in the flow with other traffic and ensure you aren't riding in a driver's blind spot. Be patient and enjoy the ride. Always expect that any vehicle in front of you may stop or turn without warning. |
| Look after your bike |
| A well maintained, regularly serviced and well set up bike is simply nicer to ride. Inspect your bike before every ride. Make sure your chain is clear of any build up. Check your tyre tread, and check your cold tyre pressures at least weekly. A 3 PSI drop in the correct pressure for your tyres increases your stopping distance and your bike will not handle as well. |
| Upskill |
| Take the opportunity to attend road rider training courses that will improve your skills and confidence. Courses are not just for beginners. They can be ideal for intermediate riders as well as those returning to riding after a number of years break. |
(Click on the image
above to open up a printable (pdf) copy of this form.)
Answer all the questions and return free post to be sent a Ride
Forever Motorbike safety pack. Includes: a tyre pressure gauge, gear bag
and motorbike safety DVD's. The form is also available from many local East Waikato motorbike retailers.
Where do I find the
Motorcycle Road Code?
The NZ Transport Agency website has the Official New Zealand
Road Code
for Motorcyclists online.
Be Prepared
Look out for stock movements with share-milkers moving herds in early June.
Be prepared, you
don't know what is around the next corner.
Stock can be spooked at night and get out so be prepared as they are unpredictable and can run out in front of oncoming traffic.
