Despite best efforts to decrease the risk of road incidents, 2021 saw a 2.6 per cent increase in road fatalities in Australia, with 1,123 people dying on our roads and an estimated 40,000 hospitalised with serious injuries, highlighting the need for initiatives such as National Road Safety Week.
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 is holding a range of activities during National Road Safety Week, including the opportunity to take the pledge to 'drive so others survive' and collect a yellow lapel ribbon.
The first activity will be a 'Child Restraint Checking' session on Saturday 14 May from 10:30am to 12:30pm at Marie Bashir Park. Come along to have your child restraints checked by authorised restraint fitter, Rodney Flanagan from Safari Motors.
A Seniors Road Safety Workshop, which provides information and tips to improve safety when on or near the roads, will be held Wednesday 18 May at Narrandera Ex-Servicemen's Club. The workshop includes information and checklists for all road use, whether driving, riding, walking, catching public transport or using a mobility scooter. Starting at 11am the workshop will include a break for a roast lunch before finishing at 2pm.
Also on Wednesday there will be a free Helping Learner Drivers Become Safer Drivers Workshop online from 7:30-8:30pm. This is for anyone who will be supervising a learner driver including parents, relatives, friends and carers of the learner driver. Attending supervising drivers will receive a $40 voucher towards a driving lesson for their learner with a local instructor.
The final activity, on Sunday 22 May, will be a motorcycle workshop presented by Survive the Ride Association of NSW. This workshop assists riders to enjoy riding and minimise risks.
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.
