Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) is launching its winter road safety campaign with a truck naming competition to raise awareness around safety on local roads.

The competition is for the public to name two grit trucks, one plough truck and one CMA truck, before a shortlist of the best proposals is made and put to a public vote.

The most popular names will be assigned to one of the four winter road trucks, with each receiving its own personalised badge to be displayed on the side of the truck.

“A name won’t change how much grit a truck can spread, but we can create more understanding around what these vehicles and the crews operating them are doing,” QLDC infrastructure operations manager Simon Mason said.

“Hopefully drivers find a bit of joy on those cold and dark mornings when they come across a truck they might have named or voted for.”

The council is also hosting a chain fitting workshop on Tuesday June 13 from 11am-1pm at the Wānaka Recreation Centre. 

Anyone wanting to learn how to fit chains to their vehicle or looking for a refresher is welcome to attend either workshop, watch demonstrations, and try putting on chains themselves under the watchful eye of a roading crew member, Simon said.

QLDC will also provide free winter road reports via email and text alerts this year.

Suggestions for grit, plough, and CMA truck names can be made on QLDC’s Facebook page, or emailed through to [email protected].

More winter driving tips can also be found here.

PHOTO: Supplied