Lead the way this National Road Safety Week

Three people are killed and about 100 are seriously injured each day on Australian roads.

These alarming statistics have Toowoomba Regional Council Infrastructure Committee Chair Cr Carol Taylor urging motorists to exercise extra caution this National Road Safety Week, an initiative of Safer Australian Highways and Roads.

Held from 6 to 12 May, Deputy Mayor Taylor said the theme for this year’s awareness campaign was ‘lead the way: drive so others survive’.

“Safer driving is something each one of us can focus on,” she said.

“While we can’t control what other motorists do on the road, what we can do is lead the way with our actions and take extra caution when we get behind the wheel.

“Remove all distractions and encourage others to do the same. If we can all take more responsibility and share road safety messages we can instill better driving habits throughout our community."

Each year, around 1200 people are killed and another 35,000 are seriously injured in crashes on Australian roads.

“Even the loss of one life is too many so it’s vital we make our roads safer,” Cr Taylor said.

“In addition to the heartache that comes from the loss of life that occurs on our roads, each year the Toowoomba Region community incurs millions in financial and social costs due to traffic crashes.

“We all need to remember that road safety starts with me. It is everyone’s responsibility – we can make a difference.

“To raise awareness of National Road Safety Week, Council will light up City Hall and the Victoria Street Bridge in yellow as well as displaying yellow ribbons on vehicles and outside Council facilities, including City Hall, the library, the Customer Service Centre and Council depots.

“We’re also encouraging our community to observe a minute’s silence at noon on 6 May to reflect on those victims, and their families and friends, who have been affected by road accidents.”

Each day of National Road Safety Week will focus on a different area of road safety.

Daily themes for National Road Safety Week

Monday 6 May: Remember the 1200 – pause to remember the 1200 people who die each year in road crashes at 12pm Tuesday 7 May: Take the pledge, lead the way – take the online pledge to drive so that you and others survive Wednesday 8 May: Move over and slow down– keep our emergency roadside responders safe by giving them space when you see flashing lights Thursday 9 May: Protecting every life – drive to protect our vulnerable road users (pedestrians, children, seniors, people with a disability) Friday 10 May: Shine the light on rural road safety – turn on your headlights to show your support Saturday 11 May: Share the roads – give cyclists and motorcyclists space on the roads Sunday 12 May: Mother's Day – the greatest gift you can give mum is for everyone to get home safe.

National Road Safety Week is an annual event held to remember the lives lost on roads and explores ways to decrease these traumatic road events.

National Road Safety Week 2019 coincides with the United Nations Global Road Safety Week 2019, which is the final Global Road Safety Week to be held within the UN Decade of Action on Road Safety 2011–2020.

For more information visit www.roadsafetyweek.net.au

About National Road Safety Week

National Road Safety Week is an initiative of Safer Australian Highways and Roads (SARAH) Group, established by President Peter Frazer and partnering with road safety advocates to reduce the number of deaths and serious injuries caused by crashes on Australian roads.

The SARAH Group was founded following the tragic death of Mr Frazer's daughter Sarah, who was killed in a completely avoidable road crash on the Hume Highway on 15 February 2012. Sarah was 23.