Blue Mountains News

The purpose of NRSW is to raise awareness about the importance of road safety in NSW and in turn reduce the number of serious injuries and fatalities on our roads.
Each year the week begins with a day to remember the 1200 lives lost on Australia’s roads and highways each year. This year NRSW runs from Sunday 11 May – Sunday 18 May.

In addition to lives lost, each year another more than 40,000 are seriously injured on Australian roads. These numbers are growing every year but are preventable if we choose to ‘Drive So Others Survive!’.

Blue Mountains Mayor Mark Greenhill said: “If there’s anything we can all agree on, it’s that keeping people safe on our roads isn’t just important, it’s a moral imperative and one that the whole community shares.

“Traffic injury is the biggest killer of children under 15 and the second-biggest killer of all Australians aged between 15 and 24. That statistic is beyond shocking, it’s crushing.

“That is why we wholeheartedly endorse National Road Safety Week and the lifesaving messages of the campaign.

“Taking the pledge couldn’t be easier to do or follow through on. Obey the speed limit, don’t drive tired and if you’ve taken any drugs or have been drinking, do not get behind the wheel.

“I’ll be taking the pledge again this May, as I do every year, because every decision we make on the road is important and taking any of those risks is unacceptable,” Cr Greenhill said.

Council has also commissioned illuminart to bring the National Road Safety campaign to life, with bespoke images that will be projected onto the Blue Mountains Community Theatre and Hub in Springwood, from 9 – 19 May.

Schools across the Blue Mountains will also display safety messages during National Road Safety Week.

Speed, fatigue and drink/drug driving are the three main causes of death and injury on NSW roads.
National Road Safety Week is an annual initiative from the Safer Australian Roads and Highways (SARAH) Group, partnering road safety organisations and Government.
The SARAH Group is led by Blue Mountains resident, Mr Peter Frazer OAM. Peter lost his daughter Sarah to a road crash 13 years ago and has since helmed National Road Safety Week.

• I pledge to drive as if my loved ones are on the road ahead.
• I will remove all distractions and never use my mobile phone while driving.
• I will not put other people at risk by speeding, driving while tired or under the influence of alcohol/drugs.
• I will protect all vulnerable road users, especially those whose job places them in harm’s way, by slowing down and giving them the space they need to be safe.