'Sign up' for Queensland Road Safety Week

Toowoomba Regional Council (TRC) is calling for the community to ‘sign up’ for Queensland Road Safety Week.

TRC Infrastructure Services Committee Chair Councillor Carol Taylor said Council was fully behind the Queensland Road Safety Week message.

Cr Taylor said motorists needed to consider their own attitude and behaviour every time they were behind the wheel or out on a bike or walking.

“Road safety is everyone’s responsibility. All road users need to share the road and be aware of the need to look out for each other at all times,” Cr Taylor said.

“Everybody who uses the road network, as a driver, rider, passenger or pedestrian, should play a part in keeping our roads safe.

“It is frustrating and incredibly sad to hear how so many traffic accidents were the result of some error or inattention that more than likely was preventable.

“Serious traffic crashes come at a great cost to people, particularly families and tight-knit country communities. The emotional impacts of these crashes on victims’ families and friends are immeasurable.

“The week’s activities in schools and across the community are another way to ensure the safe driving message reaches as many people as possible.

“Our greatest hope is that the messages extend far beyond this week and become long-term reminders for a change in community attitudes.”

Cr Taylor said improving road infrastructure and promoting road safety were among the most important functions and services provided by Council’s Infrastructure Services group.

“The Toowoomba region is continuing to experience strong growth and development with this growth comes a greater demand on our road system,” Cr Taylor said.

“We all need to work together to reduce road trauma. Council works closely with different groups on a number of ongoing road safety and education programs, including Fatality Free Friday.

“Our capital works program invests in projects enhancing safety and improving traffic flow for all road users across our Region’s extensive road networks.

“Each year Council applies for funding through the Australian Government’s Black Spot Program.

“The funding helps address sites identified to have an actual or potential risk for crashes leading to hospital stays and fatalities.”

TRC Infrastructure Portfolio Leader Councillor Melissa Taylor said on average, 1200 people die and about 44,000 adults and children injured on Australia’s roads every year.

“There’s no room for complacency and all lives must be top of mind for road users,” Cr Taylor said.

“The stark reality is that any time you take a risk behind the wheel, you are putting not only your own life, but the lives of every motorist, passenger, cyclist and pedestrian around you at risk.

“Council works collaboratively with TMR around road safety and thanks the Queensland Police Service, the Ambulance Service and Fire and Emergency Service for the critical work they perform around the clock to keep our community safe. These members of our community are true heroes.”

Queensland Road Safety week kicked off yesterday and runs until Friday, 20 August.

In 2020, hundreds of Queenslanders shared their road safety messages online. Let’s make this year bigger and better. Visit the Queensland Road Safety Week website and find out how you can take part.

Queensland Road Safety Week is a Queensland Government initiative, delivered in partnership by the Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads and the Queensland Police Service.