Rural Road Safety Month 2020 was launched in Lismore today and Federal Member for Cowper Pat Conaghan said the event provided a timely reminder to rural road users to be vigilant while on the roads.
“This month I am encouraging all rural motorists to be vigilant and to make a conscious decision to be safe while driving, cycling or walking along our roads,” he said.
“Presently about two-thirds of all road deaths in Australia occur in regional and remote areas and that’s about 790 deaths on rural roads each year.
“When you break that down, that’s the loss of two individuals on our roads, in our regions, every day.
“This rate is unacceptable and too high and causes far too much trauma to families and emergency service workers.
“So this year, let’s make the change, let’s choose road safety and change any unsafe driving behaviours we may participate in for the good of the whole community.”
Rural Road Safety Month runs until 31 August 2020.
Australian Road Safety Foundation founder and CEO Russell White said every driver, whether city or country based, must take ownership of their role in reducing the regional road toll.
“Despite smaller population numbers, 109 people have already lost their lives on New South Wales’ rural roads this year, which shows that just one dangerous choice can have dire consequences,” Mr White said.
“We will continue to see an unnecessary loss of life in rural communities until we acknowledge that all road users have a personal responsibility to ensure safety is front of mind when behind the wheel.”
Rural Road Safety Month was launched by the Australian Road Safety Foundation in 2018. Mr Conaghan attended its launch as he chairs the Australian Government’s bi-partisan Joint Select Committee on Road Safety.
Australian Road Safety Foundation launched the initiative in 2018 and it remains a popular, community-based awareness initiative that calls on everyday road users to choose road safety.
The initiative is backed by the Australian Government and long-time sponsor Suncorp. For more information visit the Australian Road Safety website here.
