The Minns Labor Government is calling on all road users to "Join the Journey" this August as Rural Road Safety Month gets underway.
Rural Road Safety Month is an initiative of the Australian Road Safety Foundation, supported by Transport for NSW, now in its ninth year.
Sadly, over the first six months of the year there have been 183 deaths on NSW roads, including 123 fatalities in regional areas, highlighting the ongoing challenge of reducing road trauma in rural and regional communities.
Country roads continue to account for more than two-thirds of the State's road trauma. Of the 123 fatalities recorded in regional NSW this year, 68 were motor vehicle drivers, while motorcyclists accounted for 23 deaths on country roads.
Men remain overrepresented, accounting for 92 of the 123 fatalities in regional NSW. Older road users have also been significantly affected, with 24 people aged 70 and over losing their lives on country roads this year.
The Minns Labor Government is investing almost half a billion dollars into the Towards Zero Safer Roads Program over five years to upgrade high risk locations across the state, as well as several other initiatives to reduce the number of lives lost and serious injuries on regional roads including:
- expanding the mobile speed camera network to an additional 2,700 locations across NSW since 2023
- installing mobile phone and seatbelt detection cameras to detect illegal mobile phone and incorrect seatbelt use
- early intervention through education programs like the NSW Road Safety Education Program.
The NSW Government is also trialling artificial intelligence animal detection cameras and "smart" signage on the Monaro Highway, aimed at reducing wildlife-vehicle strikes.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Roads and Regional Transport, Jenny Aitchison:
"This Rural Road Safety Month, we're asking everyone to join the journey towards safer roads by making safe choices every time they get behind the wheel.
"Rural and regional roads often present unique challenges, including higher speed limits, long travel distances, fatigue and changing road conditions.
"Just this week, I announced the Minns Labor Government's investment of $230 million through Round 3 of our Towards Zero Safer Roads Program, comprising of $114 million for 24 road safety upgrades on regional roads.
"We've already delivered or are in the process of delivering upgrades at 147 locations in regional NSW through the first two rounds of the program.
"While this program delivers important road infrastructure upgrades at high-risk locations to help save lives, I'm imploring everyone to make safe choices every time they are on the road.
"Whether you're travelling for work, visiting family or heading away for a break, a moment of distraction or a poor decision can have lifelong consequences.
"By slowing down, avoiding distractions, wearing a seatbelt, riding safely and never driving tired or impaired, we can all help reduce road trauma and ensure more people make it home safely."
