Council supports national campaign to reduce road toll
Wingecarribee Shire Council is throwing their support behind a national road safety campaign urging road users to reflect on their driving habits.
Fatality Free Friday is an initiative of the Australian Road Safety Foundation and will be held nation-wide on Friday 26 May 2017.
Council’s Road Safety Officer Melanie Lausz explained the concept of the campaign.
“The aim of Fatality Free Friday is to encourage drivers to think consciously about their actions every time they get behind the wheel in an effort to help drive our country’s road toll towards zero,” she said.
According to the Australian Road Safety Foundation, just one Fatality Free Friday would equate to more than five lives saved across the nation and countless families and loved ones spared the consequences.
“We’re asking drivers to take a pledge and promise to drive safely,” Ms Lausz said. “Start a conversation with loved ones and don’t be afraid to speak up if someone’s driving makes you feel unsafe.”
Simple tips to reduce risk include driving to the conditions, slowing down in wet weather, staying patient and putting mobile phones and other distractions away.
Ms Lausz said although the event targeted a single day, the campaign aims for long-term benefits through raised safety awareness, considerate road use and changed driver behaviour.
“Ultimately, one death is too many, so we’re asking everyone to take that little bit of extra care,” she said. “Not just on Friday 26 May, but every single day.”
As part of the campaign drivers can make their pledge public by signing the Fatality Free Friday inflatable car. The car will be ‘parked’ inside the newly located Service NSW Centre at Highlands Hub in Mittagong on Friday 26 May between 10 am and 2 pm.
“The idea behind Fatality Free Friday is simple,” Ms Lausz added. “Let’s ensure not a single life is lost on Australian roads for just one day.”
To take the Fatality Free Friday pledge and view more safe driving tips visit www.fatalityfreefriday.com.