Council turning yellow for National Road Safety Week 2024

Photo by Darwin Vegher

National Road Safety Week, running from Sunday 5 May to Sunday 11 May, is an annual initiative from the Safer Australian Roads and Highways (SARAH) Group, partnering road safety organisations and the Australian Government. The week aims to raise awareness of the impact of road trauma and ways to reduce it.

Every year, approximately 1,200 people are killed and over 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. These numbers are growing every year but they are preventable.

Each day during National Road Safety Week has a unique theme focused around improving road safety for motorists, pedestrians, cyclists, emergency services and roadside workers. The table below outlines the theme for each day and the accompanying call for action.

To mark National Road Safety Week, Council assets across Shepparton and Mooroopna will be illuminated in yellow throughout the week in memory and support of the people impacted by road trauma.

Council is encouraging the Greater Shepparton community to complete the Road Safety Pledge on the National Road Safety Week website. The ‘pledge to drive so others survive’ has already seen over 61,900 signatures across Australia, with Council encouraging locals to take the pledge and show their support for road safety.

Other special events being held throughout the week include the commencement of the School Crossing Education Program, which will take place on Tuesday 7 May. The School Crossing Education Program will be delivered to primary schools across Greater Shepparton by Council staff during National Road Safety Week and beyond. The program aims to develop safe road habits in young children across Greater Shepparton.

National Walk Safely to School Day will also take place on Friday 10 May as part of National Road Safety Week, with Council encouraging local students and parents to share their walk to school experience on the Activities in the Park Facebook event page with some great prizes up for grabs. This annual event encourages Primary School aged children to walk and commute safely to school, with the initiative promoting road safety, health, public transport and the environment.

Mayor, Councillor Shane Sali, encouraged residents to take part in these awareness initiatives being held during National Road Safety Week and to take the pledge to drive so others survive.

“I encourage all road users across Greater Shepparton to reflect on how we can create better driving habits to make the roads safer for everyone. We have seen too many tragic accidents on our roads. Head to the National Road Safety Week website and take the pledge to drive without distraction, not to speed, drive while under the influence or while fatigued,” he said.

“I also encourage parents and carers of primary school aged children to hit the pavement and get involved on Friday 10 May in National Walk Safely to School Day. It is a perfect opportunity to promote positive pedestrian behaviour, community participation and healthy and active lifestyles.”

For further information on National Road Safety Week and information on how to take the pledge, visit the Road Safety Week website here.