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NPDC enlists dragons for student safety

Local News Our Work
PUBLISHED: 29 MAY 2020
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Here be dragons – but just their teeth! 

‘Dragon’s teeth’ road markings are appearing on the New Plymouth District’s roads as part of a national road safety trial aimed at cutting drivers’ speeds outside schools.

NPDC is one of just five New Zealand local authorities taking part in the trial of the distinctive markings which are already a familiar sight outside schools in the UK and parts of Australia.

“We’re exploring innovative road treatments to see how they might improve road users’ safety,” says NPDC Let’s Go Team Lead Kym Smith.

“All five councils will collect data until the end of the year then evaluate how effective the road markings are in changing driver behaviour.”

Trial sites are also in Auckland, Hamilton, Christchurch and Dunedin.

The dragon’s teeth will feature first outside Spotswood School, and then Moturoa, after Let’s Go finishes upgrading the streetscape outside Moturoa School as part of a programme of safety improvements.

“Getting the physical road environment right in high-risk areas, such as school pick-up and drop-off areas, can lead to greater safety for some of our most vulnerable citizens, like schoolchildren,” says Ms Smith.

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Page last updated: 09:26pm Tue 26 October 2021

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