Now in its seventh year, the Australian Road Safety Foundation (ARSF)’s Rural Road Safety Month national awareness campaign targets regional and rural road safety throughout September.
A national community-based road safety initiative, it is designed to highlight the additional risks when driving on rural and remote roads across Australia.
Despite being less populated areas, deaths on rural and remote roads accounted for almost two thirds of the 2023 road toll.
Supported by Transport for NSW, this year’s theme is “Help sow the seeds of change road safety starts with you.”
The New South Wales Government has urged the community to prioritise road safety on country roads and attend the several activities planned throughout September to promote the important message of road safety.
Jenny Aitchison Minister for Regional Transport and Roads said country residents make up about one-third of NSW’s population, however, nearly two-thirds of deaths occurred on rural and regional roads 2023.
“We’re encouraging locals to do their part to keep their friends and loves ones safe this Rural Road Safety Month,” she said.
“Aboriginal people are also twice as likely to be killed on NSW roads as non-Aboriginal people and are four times more likely to be involved in crashes on regional roads, so I welcome the NRMA campaign featuring respected Elders with a strong message for regional communities.”
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Transport for NSW will partner with NSW Police at the Henty Machinery Field Days, Australia’s largest agribusiness event, expected to draw over 55,000 visitors from 17 to 19 September.
Highlights at the event will include a police highway patrol car and mobile drug testing van, two crashed cars demonstrating impacts at 60km/h and 100km/h, as well as additional regional NSW activities in Grafton, Bathurst, Wagga Wagga and more throughout September.
Transport for NSW is also supporting NRMA’s Rural Road Safety Month campaign, which highlights the unique challenges of driving on regional roads through the wisdom of respected Elders. The campaign aims to enhance driver awareness and safety.
Yasmin Catley Minister for Police and Counter-terrorism said too many people have lost their lives on New South Wales roads this year.
“Forever changing the lives of the loved ones and communities they leave behind,” she said.
“We all want everyone to arrive home safely – that’s why police enforce the road rules, but there’s only so much our officers can do.
“Everyone has a responsibility every time they get behind the wheel – a responsibility to themselves, their passengers and other road users.”