The NSW Government is urging drivers and riders to slow down and look out for others to achieve a Fatality Free Friday this week, with MPs from across the state signing a pledge in Parliament House on Tuesday.
Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke MP said all road users can reduce the road toll by making a commitment to share the road with others and always follow the road rules.
“Road crashes have claimed the lives of 158 people in NSW so far this year (as at midnight 27 May) including 103 on country roads – 10 more than for the same time last year,” Ms Cooke said.
“These deaths echo through the community. They are felt by so many – family and friends, work colleagues, community groups and emergency services workers.
“We know a zero road toll for one Friday is possible, but there is more we can do, with more measures to reduce deaths and serious injuries year-round.
“Today I’m calling on all road users to help make this Friday, and every day, fatality free.”
Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Paul Toole said road safety was everybody’s responsibility and commended the 279,000 road users across Australia who had pledged to have a Fatality Free Friday on 31 May.
“We all have a part to play and today I’m urging anyone who gets on the road on Friday to make sure you’re fit to drive or ride,” Mr Toole said.
“There were just 20 fatality free Fridays in 2018, with speeding the most common factor in crashes.
“Too often, people think it’s okay for them to quickly check a text, to drive faster than the speed limit because they know the road or to get behind the wheel when they’re tired. It’s not.”
Mrs Cooke took the pledge to drive safely back to Young from Parliament House this week with NSW Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Paul Toole and Australian Road Safety Foundation CEO Russell White.
To take the Fatality Free Friday pledge and find out more please visit: https://arsf.com.au/take-the-pledge/
