In honour of Road Safety Week, Council will illuminate the Murwillumbah Bridge in a radiant yellow glow, symbolising the community's commitment to prioritising road safety.
National Road Safey Week, which runs from Sunday 5 May to Sunday 12 May, is an annual initiative which aims to raise awareness about the impacts of road trauma and the ways to reduce it. This year's campaign encourages everyone to make a pledge to 'drive so others survive'.
Tweed Shire Council Road Safety Officer Lily Morgan said the week was an opportunity to reflect on the vital statistics which shape our understanding of road safety in the region.
"With more than 1,000 km of sealed roads and nearly 170 km of unsealed gravel roads, our region's road network is considered a critical asset," Ms Morgan said.
"Over the past five years (2019-2023) the Tweed Shire has witnessed 1,036 crashes, tragically resulting in 1,970 casualties. While the latest year has shown a slight increase in crashes, a comparative analysis reveals a downward trend in casualty crashes compared to the previous reporting period (2014-2018). During 2014 to 2018, a total of 1,507 crashes were reported, leading to 1,313 casualties.
"The primary risk factor for road crashes in the Tweed from 2019 to 2023 has been crashes involving speeding, accounting for 33.5% of reported incidents. Notably, local roads with a speed limit of 50km/hr witnessed the highest frequency of crashes at 33.9%. Motorcycle-related crashes constitute 13.7% of the total, with a significant portion occurring due to drivers deviating from the path on curves.
"Additionally, over the past five years, 4.7% of crashes involved cyclists and 3.6% involved pedestrians. To address these findings, the Tweed Pedestrian and Bike Plan, which will be reported to Council soon for adoption, emphasises the need to enhance safety for active transport users and improve connectivity within the Shire."
Council has also implemented speed management strategies, education projects and campaigns, and enhanced local infrastructure in an effort to improve local road safety.
"Some education examples include a motorcycle safety workshop, a bike safety activation uniquely designed for young people and an active transport design thinking workshop," Ms Morgan said.
"While Council and NSW Government initiatives are critical in helping to reduce road trauma, it is a shared responsibility, and we encourage everyone to drive as though their loved ones are on the road. This means removing distractions and not put others at risk by speeding, driving tired or under the influence of alcohol or drugs."
Make the pledge for Road Safety Week 2024:
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I pledge to drive as if my loved ones are on the road ahead.
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I will remove all distractions and never use my mobile phone while driving.
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I will not put other people at risk by speeding, driving while tired or under the influence of alcohol/drugs.
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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.
