Rural Road Safety Month, a national awareness campaign run by not for profit The Australian Safety Foundation to target rural and road safety throughout September has finished up for 2024.
The national community-based road safety initiative has just wrapped up its seventh year, highlighting the additional risks faced when driving on rural and remote roads across Australia.
This includes different road conditions, high speeds, weather and wildlife. It encourages everyone to take personal responsibility and action to reduce trauma on rural roads.
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 was “Help sow the seeds of change road safety starts with you.”
Several events were held across the month, including Australia’s largest agribusiness event held at the Henty Machinery Field Days, hosted by Transport for NSW and the NSW Police.
Highlights at the event held from 17-19 September included a police highway patrol car and mobile drug testing van; and two crashed cars demonstrating impacts at 60km/h and 100km/h.
Related stories:
- Rural Road Safety Month marks call to action
- Rural road safety on display at Henty Machinery Field Days
Additional activities included the Hats Off road safety initiative, featuring a moving display of hats to represent lives lost on NSW roads in 2023.
The Caravan safety display at the Bathurst Lifestyle and Leisure Show, Courtesy breath testing at Wagga Aggies Race Day, the bicycle safety installation at the Lake Macquarie Living Smart Festival and the Helmet Exchange Program for Aboriginal communities in Byron Bay, Ballina and Port Macquarie.
Transport for NSW is also supported NRMA’s Rural Road Safety Month campaign, which highlighted the unique challenges of driving on regional roads through the wisdom of respected Elders.
The campaign aims to enhance driver awareness and safety by informing people with the local knowledge to navigate hazards on rural roads.
The traditional owners who have gained and shared their wisdom over tens of thousands of years, and display the richest knowledge of country delivered this campaign.
Through this knowledge imparted by respected Elders, the NRMA imparted this information to drivers to become more aware of their surroundings, reducing the number of incidents on country roads.
The NRMA suggested watching out for wandering wildlife at dawn and dusk, acting safely and always make sure you and your passengers are wearing seatbelts correctly.
It also advised taking regular rest breaks on long road trips, slowing down and always driving to the conditions, whether it’s the blazing sun, rain or fog.
Ahead of next year’s National Road Safety Week which will run from 11-18 May 2025, Australians can make a pledge on the website to make a promise to themselves and the Safer Australian Roads and Highways (SARAH) Group.
For more information, visit https://roadsafetyweek.com.au/