Blue Mountains City Council is committed to road safety and strongly supports National Road Safety Week (NRSW) 2024, which runs from Sunday 5 May to Sunday 12 May.
The purpose of the week is to raise awareness about the importance of road safety in NSW and in turn reduce the number of serious injuries and fatalities on our roads.
Every year, approximately 1200 people are killed and another 40,000+ are seriously injured on Australian roads. Traffic injury is the biggest killer of Australian children under 15 and the second-biggest killer of all Australians aged between 15 and 24.
In 2024, the main theme of National Road Safety Week is 'all road safety is local'. Road safety begins at a local level, and together we can work to reduce the road toll.
National Road Safety Week is an annual initiative from the Safer Australian Roads and Highways (SARAH) Group, partnering road safety organisations and Government.
The SARAH Group is led by Blue Mountains resident, Mr Peter Frazer OAM. Peter lost his daughter Sarah to a road crash 12 years ago and has since helmed National Road Safety Week.
During National Road Safety Week, drivers are asked to take the pledge to Drive So Others Survive!
Blue Mountains Mayor Mark Greenhill said: "With 27 towns and villages stretching across the Blue Mountains, safe travel by road is vital for our community.
"This year, National Roads Safety Week reminds us that all safety is local, and I urge drivers to take the pledge to drive responsibly, because every decision while driving can impact yourself, any passengers and other road users."
The Drive So Others Survive pledge is:
- 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 alcohol/drugs.
- 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.
For more information about road safety, visit bmcc.nsw.gov.au/roadsafety
Read more about Road Safety Week at roadsafetyweek.com.au/road-safety-week
Photo: Mayor Mark Greenhill with SARAH President, Peter Frazer
