Waka Kotahi are calling upon farmers along State Highway 35 to help avoid their stock becoming a statistic.
It comes after emergency services were called to SH35 near Te Araroa over the weekend, following reports that a cow had been hit by two vehicles travelling in opposite directions.
Reports have been received, that as a result of the collision, multiple suffered minor injuries.
According to Waka Kotahi, between the first call out on January 8th this year and the beginning of August, there were 87 call outs for wandering stock in Tairāwhiti - 82 of which were on State Highway 35.
Waka Kotahi Hawke’s Bay / Tairāwhiti System Manager Martin Colditz says every animal wandering on the side of any road poses a significant risk to the lives of road users who are passing.
“Hitting a cow can lead to serious injuries or fatalities, in addition to causing trauma and stress for those involved.”
Waka Kotahi issued this reminder earlier this month following increasing number of call outs.
“Wandering stock on our highways presents a risk to life, so please report them as soon as you can, either by calling 0800 4 HIGHWAYS, or 111 where there is an immediate risk to safety,” Colditz says.
“It’s really important land owners do what they can to ensure the safety of all road users, local communities and our roadworkers,” Colditz says.
Image: Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency - Hawkes Bay/Tairāwhiti (Facebook).
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