Blue Mountains City Council has continued its support of National Road Safety Week and is asking the community to share responsibility on the road, slow down and Drive So Others Survive (#DriveSOS).
In 2017, 1227 people were killed on Australian roads. Another 35,000 were seriously injured.
“Speeding is one of the leading causes of road crashes and is a major contributor to road deaths and serious injuries. We all have a shared responsibility to improve road safety,” said Blue Mountains mayor Mark Greenhill.
“National Road Safety Week – from April 30 to May 6 – reminds us to actively Drive So Others Survive to protect all members of our community, our loved ones, our friends and neighbours as well as vulnerable road users such as pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists.”
National Road Safety Week began five years ago as an initiative of SARAH (Safer Australian Roads and Highways) president and Faulconbridge resident, Peter Frazer, who lost his daughter Sarah in a road crash in 2012.
“National Road Safety Week gives every Australian the opportunity to show they are road safety advocates,” said Mr Frazer.
“Every year this initiative gets bigger and more people take active steps to look after everyone on the road ahead: however, with the extremely high level of death and serious injuries continuing, it’s obvious we need to do more and care more both on a policy and standard level and on a personal level every time we get behind the wheel.”
Residents can show they are road safety advocates by displaying a yellow ribbon on their vehicle and/or wearing a yellow lapel ribbon during the week.
The mayor said: “Driving is a serious responsibility. We are asking the community to remove distractions, follow the road rules, slow down and slow down and move over for anyone who is working in and around the road such as emergency services, road workers and roadside assist.”
Yellow ribbons and other Yellow Ribbon National Road Safety Week items are available by donation at council’s customer service counter in Katoomba and Springwood, and online at www.sarahgroup.org. Commit to Drive So Others Survive by taking the pledge on the same website.
Safer Australian Roads and Highways (SARAH) Inc. is a not-for-profit association. Its mission is to promote initiatives that bring about improved road safety, as well as support those affected by road tragedy.