As part of National Road Safety Week, the Road Safety Advisory Council is calling for a reset in how Tasmanians think about road trauma, because too many still believe it won’t happen to them.
“It’s not about bad luck, it’s about making good choices and using common sense every time you drive – that can be the difference between life and death,” said Chair of the Road Safety Advisory Council, Scott Tilyard.
“No one sets out to have a crash, but it only takes a moment of distraction, one wrong choice or maybe travelling too fast for the conditions for everything to change,” said Mr Tilyard.
“It might also be the case that you are doing everything right, but another driver’s bad decision leads to a crash that injures innocent road users.”
Now in its 12th year, National Road Safety Week serves as a crucial reminder of the real, yet preventable, impact of road trauma on local communities. It follows a horror month on Tasmania’s roads.
“The 11 fatalities in April marks the first time we’ve seen double digit deaths in a month since July 2009, when 13 lives were lost.
“This is far higher than the two to three fatalities that we normally experience a month. This trend must stop – we can and must do better,” said Mr Tilyard.
This year 21 people have died on Tasmania’s roads and more than 106 seriously injured.
Serious casualties – those involving fatal and serious injury crashes – are both slightly down compared to the same time last year and the five-year average.
Fatal five behaviours – speeding, including driving too fast for the conditions, distraction and inattention, driving under the influence, fatigue and failing to wear a seatbelt – continue to be major contributing crash factors.
“We must not accept road deaths as a normal part of everyday life. In any other context, such loss would demand greater action and spark deeper conversations within the community.
“Over the past 10 years, 350 lives have been lost on Tasmanian roads, the equivalent to wiping out an entire small town, and nearly 3,000 people were seriously injured but yet we risk becoming immune to this fact,” said Mr Tilyard.
Mr Tilyard said the recent spike in fatalities is a sobering reminder that there’s no room for complacency.
As part of National Road Safety Week all Tasmanians to take the online pledge to drive safely at www.roadsafetyweek.com.au
“Every driver and rider has a role to play. Obey the road rules. Drive to the conditions. Show respect and courtesy to all road users and ensure your vehicle is safe and roadworthy.
“If you’re a passenger and something doesn’t feel right, speak up as it could save not only your life but that of others.”
The Tasmanian Transport Association (TTA) is urging all road users to show mutual respect on the roads.
Executive Officer of the TTA, Michelle Harwood, said truck drivers regularly witness risky and dangerous behaviours from the elevated view in their cab.
“Drivers texting, eating or otherwise distracted are a common sight and it’s putting everyone at risk,” said Ms Harwood.
“Distractions like these, combined with sudden lane changes or dangerous overtaking can make the road a far more hazardous place than it needs to be,” she said.
Ms Harwood also warns that cutting in too closely after overtaking a truck is also a common and dangerous sight on the roads.
“Trucks needs a much longer distance to stop – when a car pulls in too tightly, it can leave the truck driver with nowhere to go, increasing the chance of a serious crash.”
National Road Safety Week events – Tasmania
- Landmarks lit up yellow around Tasmania
- Council-run community events around Tasmania, made possible by Tasmanian Government and MAIB, Link here to website.
- Hobart Airport awareness activation – greeting visitors and tourists to Tasmania with a road safety reminder and encouraging them to take the road safety pledge – Monday 12 May.
- Walk to School Day – Friday 16 May
- North West Football League (NWFL) Under 18 Colts Road Safety Round, Sunday 18 May.
More information on National Road Safety Week Community Events can be found at https://rsac.tas.gov.au/community-events-2025-landing/