26 April 2014

Wandering stock is a continuing problem in rural areas of the Eastern Bay of Plenty. This poses a risk to all road users.

Everyone, including landowners, has a responsibility to help keep Eastern Bay roads safe.

Livestock owners are legally required to fence their animals in, but in rural areas this doesn’t always happen for various reasons that aren’t clear. This is unacceptable.

If you aren’t keeping your stock fenced in, you’re putting all road users’ lives at risk. That includes your family and friends. Keeping your animals fenced in shows you care about people other than yourself.

Of the 165 serious crashes in the Bay of Plenty last year, 77 happened on rural roads. Drivers and motorcyclists on these roads therefore need to take extra care. In 2013 there were 37 crashes involving motorcyclists in the Bay of Plenty, and many of these happened when the rider swerved to avoid an animal.

When you’re driving around the Eastern Bay, especially on rural roads, expect the unexpected. When animals stray on to the road it’s hard to know what they’ll do. Slow down when you see stock or warning signs, especially near sunrise and sunset when animals are is harder to see. This could prevent a crash. It could even save your life.

If you see an animal on the road, brake when it is safe to do so.

Avoid swerving. It’s safer to hit an animal than swerve and lose control of your vehicle.

Resulting accidents – which often go unreported – are common and all Eastern Bay locals can play a part in preventing them.

If you see stock wandering on the roads, phone Whakatāne District Council on 07 306 0500 as soon as possible.

Put simply, animals on the road cause crashes. People get killed.

Keep your animals off the roads.

For road safety news and updates, visit the Eastern Bay Road Safety Facebook page.