Successful National Road Safety Week marked in Wagga Wagga

DEPUTY Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Michael McCormack has today congratulated Peter Frazer, the President of Safer Australian Roads and Highways (SARAH) for achieving a bigger impact than ever before with the annual National Road Safety Week.

“It is people such as Mr Frazer who bring our attention to the impacts of road trauma on Australians each and every day,” Mr McCormack said.

“The story of Peter’s 23-year-old daughter, Sarah, who was killed along with tow-truck driver Geoff Clark while her car had broken down on the Hume Highway on her way to university at Wagga Wagga, is typical of the story we never think will happen to us.

“The advocacy of Sarah’s dad Peter through the SARAH Group helps bring attention and a story to the realities of road crashes.”

Mr McCormack reflected on the profound impact road crashes have on the community, with a total of 1,227 killed in 2017, and a great many more seriously injured.

“The theme of National Road Safety Week was ‘Drive so others survive’. We all need to take responsibility for our behavior on the road, which is an important part of this complex problem,” Mr McCormack said.

“Under the National Road Safety Strategy 2011-2020, all levels of Government have adopted the vision to work towards zero fatalities or serious injuries in road crashes.

“The Australian Government is ensuring our vehicles are safer through stronger vehicle safety standards and by promoting the purchase of safer vehicles. On Tuesday, I announced the Government would provide $6.64 million over 5 years to support the important work the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP).

“We are also working in partnership with State and Territory Governments to deliver our $75 billion infrastructure investment program, which is making our national road network safer.”

National Road Safety Week commenced on 30 April and was officially closed by Mr McCormack today in Wagga Wagga, with emergency services workers and National Road Safety Week Partners in attendance.

“Across Australia many iconic buildings were lit in yellow for National Road Safety Week, including the Sydney Harbour Bridge, and road safety was featured at last night’s Canberra Raiders game,” Mr McCormack said.

“Each day SARAH has asked Australians to focus on a different aspect of road safety, including taking time to remember those who have died on our roads, protecting and supporting emergency workers and road workers, protecting all road users.

“It is clear this is an issue which affects every Australian – and today we are focusing on regional and remote roads, where two-thirds of road deaths occur.

“I hope the attention given to road safety during this week will help to keep safety top of mind for all road users, and I look forward to working with the community to reduce deaths and serious injuries on our roads.”

Shane Manning