Waikato Regional Council is committed to education as a key tool in achieving better road safety outcomes across our region. We are highlighting lives lost on our roads, as well as acknowledging the everyday heroes who help keep others safe.
What does road safety mean?
Road safety is about protecting everyone who uses our roads, whether you’re driving, riding, walking, cycling, or using public transport. It’s about making safe choices, looking out for one another, and creating an environment where people can travel without being seriously hurt or killed.
Road safety isn’t limited to rules and signs – it includes everyday behaviour, slowing down, staying alert, wearing seatbelts, driving sober, and sharing the road with care.
Why is road safety important?
Every serious crash affects more than just those directly involved. Families, friends, workplaces, and whole communities feel the impact.
Even a single crash can change lives forever. By focusing on road safety, we can:
- Reduce deaths and serious injuries
- Help people get home safely to their families
- Protect our most vulnerable road users, including children and older people
- Build safer, more connected communities.
Road safety is everyone’s responsibility, and small actions can make a big difference.
Why road safety is an issue in the Waikato
Road safety remains a significant issue for the Waikato region. In 2025, provisional data shows 62 people lost their lives on Waikato roads, an increase from the previous year and one of the highest totals of any region in New Zealand.
While long‑term trends show improvement over past decades, the frequency and severity of serious injury and fatal crashes remain high, particularly on open and rural roads that make up a large portion of Waikato’s transport network. These crashes have lasting impacts on families, communities, and the wider region. Road Safety Week highlights the urgent need for continued education, awareness, and collective action to reduce harm and prevent future loss of life.
Road safety posters
To promote road safety at any time, download the posters below and display them around your organisation:
Learn more about road safety education
Road safety education plays an important role in helping people of all ages build safe road use skills and confidence.
To learn more about road safety tips, education programmes, and resources for families, schools, and communities, the following resources are available: