Tasmania will lead the country today in making road safety front of mind by remembering the 1200 people who are killed on Australian roads each year and the thousands who are seriously injured.
National Road Safety Week starts today and runs until the 12th May, with Tasmania being the host State this year.
Each year around 1,200 Australians are killed and more than 40,000 people seriously injured as a result of road crashes. The theme is All Road Safety is Local .. Drive So Others Survive.
National Road Safety Week is an initiative of Safer Australian Roads and Highways, also known as SARAH Group. Now in its 11th year, the week was established by Peter Frazer after his 23-year-old daughter was killed in what was a preventable road crash.
Each day of National Road Safety Week has a specific road safety theme and as part of the week well-known Tasmanian landmarks will be lit up yellow in memory of the many victims of road trauma and a number of community events held around the state.
“National Road Safety Week provides the opportunity to continue raising awareness about the impact of road trauma in our community and aims to reduce death and serious injury on our roads by driving positive changes in road user behaviour,” Road Safety Advisory Council Chair, Scott Tilyard, said.
“While this particular week highlights safe driving practices, this is something we want people to think about every day and every time they get in a car, on their bikes, motorcycle, scooters or head out on foot on our roads,” said Mr Tilyard.
Since 2014 more than 360 people have been killed on Tasmanian Roads and more than 2800 people seriously injured.
“Many of these crashes were caused by speed, inattention, inexperience, alcohol and drugs and could have been prevented yet people still fail to grasp the consequences of their actions.”.
As part of National Road Safety Week in Tasmania, the life-like sculpture known as ‘Graham’ is on display at the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery and stay there for three months to help get the road safety message across.
In 2016, Victoria’s Transport Accident Commission (TAC) partnered with a leading trauma surgeon, a crash investigation expert and internationally renowned Melbourne artist Patricia Piccinini to create a lifelike sculpture that shows us what we might look like if we were built to survive on our roads.
Graham is designed to survive crashes, highlights human vulnerability and is encouraging visitors to think differently about road safety.
The President of the SARAH Group, Peter Frazer, said National Road Safety Week highlights how, by working together, death and serious injuries on our roads can be prevented.
“It is intolerable that so many lives are lost each year; that so many of our fellow Australians are killed or seriously injured in what are completely avoidable circumstances,” Mr Frazer said.
“It’s imperative that we unite to make our roads safer, as every death or serious injury is one too many.
“We urge all drivers, passengers and road users to pledge their commitment to road safety at roadsafetyweek.com.au, so that we can raise awareness to ensure that everyone gets home safe to their loved ones, every day with no exceptions.”
Daily themes for National Road Safety Week
Sunday 5 May: Remember the 1200
Today we remember the lives lost on Australian roads and highways.
Monday 6 May: Your Road Safety Pledge
Pledge to drive so others survive.
Tuesday 7 May: Road Safety for the Next Generation
Focus on young drivers.
Wednesday 8 May: Protect those who Protect and Assist Us
Keep our emergency services, vehicle and roadside workers safe.
Thursday 9 May: How Safe is my Car
Basic car maintenance along with safety advice when choosing your next car.
Friday 10th May: Drive in the Moment (Distraction)
Put down your phone, put on your seatbelt, manage fatigue and obey the speed limit.
Walk Safely to School Day.
Saturday 11th May: Share the Street
Be aware of vulnerable road users such as motorcyclists, cyclists, eRiders and pedestrians.
Sunday 12 May: Take Care and Be Aware on Rural Roads
Slow down, be alert and drive to the conditions.
How to get involved
- Take the Road Safety Pledge
- Discuss driving safely with your family, friends, and colleagues
- Wear a yellow ribbon available from Service Tasmania and RACT outlets across the state.
- Check the Road Safety Advisory Council’s website https://rsac.tas.gov.au/ for National Road Safety Week events in your area
- Visit your local icons when they are lit up in yellow.
- Promote your support for National Road Safety Week on social media using #NRSW or #DriveSoS hashtag or share social content from National Road Safety Week and the SARAH Group
Tasmanian landmarks being lit up from around 5 p.m. Sunday 5 May, remaining illuminated each night until 12 May.
North and North West locations:
Makers Centre – Burnie
Goliath Silos – Devonport
Ritchie’s Mill – Launceston
Town hall – Launceston
South and South East
Tasmania Police HQ
Bridge of Remembrance
Bellerive Police Station
Kingborough Council Chambers
Kingborough Community Hub
RACT House
Wrest Point
MyState Bank Arena
Tasman Bridge
Cardinal Lights (Mawson Place)
Aquatic Centre
Elizabeth Street Mall
Franklin Square
Kennedy Lane
Rose Garden Bridge.