This week is National Road Safety Week, and the theme this year is ”Drive so others survive.” Road users are encouraged to make a road safety pledge online to increase awareness and safety for all road users. So far, more than 75,000 pledges have already been taken online.
Minister for Roads, Jenny Aitchison MP affirms, “I’m calling on everyone to make safe decisions on NSW roads, whether driving a car or a truck, riding a bike, or out and about as a pedestrian. Road safety is everyone’s responsibility.”
Road toll figures show that every year on Australian roads approximately 1,300 people are killed and another 44,000 are seriously injured. In 2024, 334 people were killed on the state’s roads, with almost 70 per cent of those in regional NSW and around 40 per cent related to speeding.
To coincide with the launch of NRSW, the NSW Government has today launched a powerful new website to shine a light on those affected by crashes on the state’s road network. (link below).
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New South Wales is the lead jurisdiction this year and will host the launch at the Sydney Opera House tonight, bringing together road safety partners, experts and advocates from around Australia. The week aims to amplify the impact of road trauma by campaigning to reduce the number of crashes, so everybody makes it home safely.
The official colour for the movement is yellow, and several places will be lit up, or you may see yellow ribbons or wreaths as part of the visibility of the aim to heighten awareness.
As part of National Road Safety Week finance has been allocated to show a commitment for safety initiatives. $2.8 million from the NSW State Government has been allocated over the next four years. The funds are going towards:
- Delivering more road safety infrastructure across NSW
- The demerit point return trial that encourages safe driving
- Releasing more ratings for bicycle helmets as part of its star rating system
- Doubling the number of roadside enforcement sites used for mobile speed cameras, introducing an additional 2,700 new sites.
- Using mobile phone detection cameras to catch seatbelt offences
- Removing a loophole to force those driving on a foreign license to switch to a NSW licence within six months
- Tightening the rules for international license holders to switch to NSW licenses
- Introducing a trial of average speed cameras for light vehicles
- Signing the National Road Safety Data Agreement with the Commonwealth Government
Transport for NSW Secretary, Josh Murray said, “The Beyond the Crash website is a place where people who have experienced road trauma can share their experiences and encourage others to have an open conversation about road safety.
“It’s also a sobering reminder how one mistake or wrong decision on the road can take a life – whether it’s your own, someone you care about, or someone else’s loved one whose world is about to be turned upside down.
“We thank everyone who has had the courage to share their loss publicly. The deaths of their loved ones in road crashes caused unimaginable grief which is felt every single day.
“The choices we make every day when we get behind the wheel are extremely important and I urge everyone this National Road Safety Week and every week to make safe decisions on the road – please buckle up, ensure your passengers are buckled up and drive so others survive – the life you save could be your own or one of your loved ones.”
For more on National Road Safety Week and take the pledge, head to https://roadsafetyweek.com.au/
To check out Beyond the crash: Real life stories, visit https://www.beyondthecrash.transport.nsw.gov.au
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