Speeding is the single biggest contributor to death and injury on NSW roads, accounting for around 42 per cent of fatalities and 25 per cent of serious injuries. Each year, almost 128 lives are lost and more than 1,050 people are seriously injured as a result of speeding-related crashes across the state.
Here in the Bland Shire, speeding continues to be the most common cause of serious crashes. Even a small increase in speed can dramatically affect stopping distances and the severity of a collision. For example, if a car hits a pedestrian at 50km/h, the impact is twice as likely to cause death compared to travelling at 40km/h.
To tackle this issue locally, Bland Shire Council's Road Safety Officer, Steven Bloomfield, is inviting residents to identify speeding problem areas within towns and villages across the Shire. Locations nominated by the community will be prioritised for the installation of temporary signage reminding motorists to slow down and observe the speed limit.
"Local knowledge is essential in identifying the places where speeding is a real concern," Mr Bloomfield said. "By nominating a hotspot, residents can play an active role in making our roads safer and reminding drivers that speed decides the outcome."
The temporary signs will serve as a visible reminder to motorists that exceeding the speed limit puts lives at risk. Council hopes the initiative will not only highlight known problem areas but also encourage a culture of safer driving across the Shire.
Bland Shire Council Mayor Brian Monaghan said the initiative reflects Council's ongoing commitment to improving road safety.
"Council is always looking for ways to work with the community on important safety issues," Mayor Monaghan said. "This program gives residents a chance to directly influence where we target speeding awareness, and ultimately, it could save lives."
Residents can nominate speeding problem areas by commenting on Council's Facebook or Instagram post or by emailing Bland Shire Council at [email protected]
