Local Drivers Urged To Slow Down To Save Lives

Member for Kiama Gareth Ward MP is urging local motorists travelling to slow down this Rural Road Safety Month, with more than two-thirds of the lives lost on NSW roads occurring in the country.

Mr Ward said that preliminary figures show 6 people were killed or injured in crashes on Kiama electorate roads in 2019, while 21 were killed and 367 seriously injured in the five years from 2014/15 to 2018/19.

“Every one of these deaths and serious injuries is one too many and has had a devastating impact on families, friends and our local communities,” he said.

“Whether you are a driver, passenger, rider or pedestrian, every decision you make on the road matters and we all have a responsibility to make safe choices.

“So please slow down on our Princes Highway and other local roads as we highlight Rural Road Safety Month,” Mr Ward said.

The NSW Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Paul Toole last week launched Rural Road Safety Month, an initiative of the Australian Road Safety Foundation, with campaign advocate, NSW State of Origin coach Brad Fittler.

“Every time you get behind the wheel, the choices we make can have fatal consequences,” Mr Toole said.

“Every life lost or serious injury suffered represents a family, a friend and a community that is impacted. Speeding remains the biggest contributor to road fatalities, accounting for 39 per cent of fatalities last year.

“The NSW Government is committed to making roads safer for everyone, which is why we’re investing ore than $640 million in the Safer Roads Program for regional NSW, along with $140 million from the Federal Government to roll out life-saving projects,” Mr Toole said.

Information on Rural Road Safety Month is here: https://arsf.com.au/rrsw-home/ Safer Roads program: https://roadsafety.transport.nsw.gov.au/stayingsafe/safer-roads/index.html.