Every year approximately 1200 people are killed and 44,000 seriously injured on Australian roads. In 2019, there were 4606 serious injuries and 353 deaths from crashes in NSW.
The road toll isn’t just a number. It represents lost loved ones; husbands, wives, sons, daughters, friends and colleagues. The impact of the loss is far reaching and long lasting. Each life lost is one too many. Road safety is everyone’s responsibility. To continue reducing the number of people killed or injured on our roads requires a community approach. Drive so you and others survive.
National Road Safety Week, held from 15 to 22 November, aims to raise awareness of the number of people that are killed or injured in road crashes, and provide an opportunity for people and organisations to actively commit to safeguarding the lives and health of all road users, including pedestrians.
The week is an annual initiative from the Safer Australian Roads and Highways (SARAH) Group which was established by Peter Frazer after his 23-year-old daughter Sarah was killed in a road crash on the Hume Highway in February 2012. Sarah’s car broke down while travelling to Wagga Wagga to begin university. Both Sarah and the tow truck driver were struck and killed by a distracted driver.
The colour yellow is associated with National Road Safety Week. Icons across the country will be lit up to shine a light on road safety. Displaying and wearing yellow ribbons both honours those we have lost and reminds us all to drive safely.
Narrandera Shire Council vehicles will display yellow ribbon stickers and staff will wear yellow lapel ribbons. Lapel ribbons will be available to the public from Council’s customer service area.
National Road Safety Week gives every Australian the opportunity to show they are road safety advocates. To get involved people are invited to:
- Follow the rules of the road and don’t get distracted when in your vehicle
- Wear a yellow lapel ribbon
- Display a yellow ribbon on your car, motorbike, truck or bicycle
- Share support for Road Safety Week on social media
- Talk to family, friends and colleagues about your intention to drive more safely and why
Everyone is encouraged to take the following pledge to drive so others survive.
I pledge to drive as if my loved ones are on the road ahead.
I will remove all distractions and never use my mobile phone while driving.
I will not put other people at risk by speeding, driving while tired or under the influence of drugs/alcohol.
I will protect all vulnerable road users, especially those whose job places them in harm’s way, by slowing down and giving them the space they need to be safe.
A new theme will be observed daily during the week including:
- Safe driving to work
- Move over and slow down for stationary emergency vehicles
- Regional and remote road users
- Pedestrians
- Motorcyclist and cyclists
Everyone has a role to play in reducing the number of preventable and foreseeable deaths and traumatic injuries on our roads. For more information or to take the pledge visit www.roadsafetyweek.com.au