20 Aug 2011

International road safety group says NZ out of step

10:57 pm on 20 August 2011

An international road safety charity says New Zealand's preference for building roads is out of step with other developed countries that invest more in public transport.

The chief executive of the charity, BRAKE, was speaking in Wellington on Saturday at the Smart Transport conference, which is promoting public transport, walking and cycling.

Mary Williams says many cities around the world are directing most of their transport investment into public transport.

She says that is because they recognise that trams, light rail and buses improve people's quality of life, especially when there are growing populations.

Ms Williams says public transport is cleaner, safer and more sustainable than building more roads for cars.