Latest news with #McFadgen
Otago Daily Times
27-07-2025
- Otago Daily Times
Winter driving: 'Is three minutes worth your safety?'
File photo: Supplied/Joseph Mooney The Rental Vehicle Association has urged motorists to be cautious on the roads, as cold winter days are making conditions challenging. The association is reminding people that the country's highways are not like the big expressways in Europe, meaning conditions can be hazardous at times. "Kiwis think they're used to New Zealand's roads, so they tend to drive fast - too fast", said Ben McFadgen, chief executive of the Rental Vehicle Association of New Zealand. "Whether it's people driving their own car, or a rental vehicle, the speed which many people are driving at is not just reckless - it's flat out dangerous. This is not Le Mans. One distraction and a nice family holiday rapidly becomes a nightmare. "Is three-minutes worth your safety? Really? Because driving at 105km/h instead of 100km/h for one hour only saves you three minutes and 4 seconds, which is pointless. We urge everyone to slow down, drive to the conditions, and take some time to enjoy the journey. There's plenty to look at." McFadgen said international tourists may also find the roads quite challenging to navigate, especially in areas that have experienced heavy rain and flooding, like Nelson-Tasman. McFadgen wanted people to plan ahead and recommended all travellers have an alternative route they can use, just in case. He said ski access roads also presented their own unique challenges, especially when drivers were coming back down at the end of the day. Brakes could be a problem. "Drivers tend to ride them all the way down, leading to very high temperatures and a distinct possibility of brake fade. We recommend people descend these steep, hazardous roads slowly and carefully. "In short, drive defensively. Be considerate, stick to the conditions."
Scoop
22-07-2025
- Scoop
Driving In Winter?
With the effects of winter being well and truly felt over the last month, driving on New Zealand's roads can become extremely challenging. Our roads are not like the expressways of Europe. Our weather can be quite hazardous at times. Road conditions can vary significantly. 'Kiwis think they're used to New Zealand's roads, so they tend to drive fast - too fast', says Ben McFadgen, CEO of the Rental Vehicle Association of New Zealand. 'Whether it's people driving their own car, or a rental vehicle, the speed which many people are driving at is not just reckless – it's flat out dangerous. This is not Le Mans. One distraction and a nice family holiday rapidly becomes a nightmare. Is three-minutes worth your safety? Really? Because driving at 105 kph instead of 100 kph for one hour only saves you 3 minutes and 4 seconds. Which is …pointless. We urge everyone to slow down, drive to the conditions, and take some time to enjoy the journey. There's plenty to look at.' International tourists may find some roads quite challenging to navigate, especially in areas that have experienced severe weather events. 'It pays to plan ahead', says Mr McFadgen, 'we recommend all travellers have an alternative route they can use, just in case'. Ski access roads also present their own unique challenges, not the least of which is navigating them when drivers are coming back down at the end of the day. 'Brakes can be a problem', says Mr McFadgen, 'drivers tend to ride them all the way down, leading to very high temperatures and a distinct possibility of brake fade. We recommend people descend these steep, hazardous roads slowly and carefully.' 'In short, drive defensively. Be considerate, stick to the conditions.' Says Mr McFadgen. Information on driving in New Zealand is freely available on the Drive Safe website: RVA rental operators also assess each renter to ensure this information is provided where appropriate to ensure safer journeys on our roads.
Associated Press
10-02-2025
- Health
- Associated Press
Union: Houston once again investing in private profits
While we understand that Nova Scotians are struggling with lack of access to mental health and addiction support, CUPE Nova Scotia does not believe that selling more of our health care to private companies is a solution. 'There's no doubt that Nova Scotians need improved and expanded access to mental health services,' said CUPE Nova Scotia President Nan McFadgen, 'but why are we investing this money in private, for-profit companies instead of the already existing mental health services run by our public health care system?' 'The workers are at the end of their rope,' said CUPE 8920 President Dianne Frittenburg 'Mental health workers province-wide are overwhelmed. There just isn't enough time in the day to help everyone. They've been asking for help only to be told that the much-needed support is going to private businesses instead.' The Houston government's announcement specifically outlined that public money, meaning tax dollars paid by everyday Nova Scotians, would be used to fund private-sector professionals. They committed to hiring 50 clinicians in the first phase with an end goal of 250 in two years. All 250 would come from the private sector. 'I can't imagine there are 250 clinicians in Nova Scotia in the private sector that are able to take on more patients right now,' continued Frittenburg, 'which means these clinicians are either going to be taken from the public sector or be brought in from other provinces and countries. That is not a solution and leaves our current mental health workers high and dry.' 'We've seen this before. Government promises to expand a public service but instead of investing in our public system, they invest in private companies and our province suffers. Companies are invested in their bottom line, not the health of Nova Scotians,' said McFadgen. 'Houston might claim there is no cost, but there is. We've already paid for this with our tax dollars.' Historically, public-private partnerships, or P3s, are initially less expensive as bids for the new tender are purposefully kept low. However, in the long run, P3s end up costing both the government and the taxpayer more money for a lower quality of service than a functional public system. 'If Houston really wants to help, he has to invest in our public health care system. That's what will help Nova Scotians, not lining some CEO's pockets with our hard-earned tax dollars,' finished McFadgen. :so/cope491 (902) 759-3231 Dianne Frittenburg CUPE 8920 President 902-521-7782 Taylor Johnston CUPE Atlantic Communications Representative SOURCE: CUPE Nova Scotia Copyright Business Wire 2025. PUB: 02/10/2025 02:34 PM/DISC: 02/10/2025 02:33 PM
