A display of 46 pairs of shoes has been laid out on the grass outside Timaru District Council to mark the number of people killed on South Canterbury roads since the start of 2020.

The memorial, set up by South Canterbury Road Safety Coordinator Michelle Bunt for Road Safety Week, is intended to be a powerful visual reminder of the human toll behind road statistics.

“The display is designed to visually quantify and highlight the road safety trauma we experience across South Canterbury, in an impactful but respectful way,” Bunt said.

She urged motorists to consider how their actions affect others.

“The goal is to encourage people to drive safely and take extra precaution, especially now we’re heading into winter, and to consider how our actions as drivers can impact on other road users.”

Road Safety Week, which runs from 12–18 May, is an international campaign focused on reducing road harm. This year’s New Zealand theme is “be a road safety hero.”

The shoe display is one of several activities planned throughout the region. Road safety breakfasts focusing on agricultural vehicle safety will be held at Farmlands Temuka on Thursday 15 May and Farmlands Waimate on Friday 16 May, with support from FMG.

The Timaru District Library is also hosting a Road Safety Week display, including free colouring-in sheets and activities for children.

Road safety representatives, including members of the New Zealand Transport Agency, will attend the Careers Expo at the Southern Trust Event Centre on Wednesday 14 May to promote driver licensing resources.

Bunt encouraged residents to view the displays and attend the events throughout the week.