Shine bright for safety: Wagga Wagga lights up for National Road Safety Week

Published: 03 May 2024 9:17am

The trees along Fitzmaurice Street will be glowing in yellow light each evening of the week 5 – 12 May as part of Wagga Wagga City Council’s recognition of National Road Safety Week.

Road safety advocates and stakeholders across Australia will join forces during National Road Safety Week to emphasise the critical importance of safe road practices and to honour the memory of lives lost and impacted by road incidents.

Recent statistics underscore the urgent need for heightened road safety awareness with the death count rising on Australian roads.

In 2023 alone, Australia witnessed a 7.3 per cent increase in road deaths, with 1,266 deaths and around 40,000 people hospitalised with injuries due to road crashes (roadsafetyweek.com.au).

Mayor of the City of Wagga Wagga Councillor Dallas Tout said National Road Safety Week is a good opportunity to reflect on how as a community we can work toward a safer future on our roads.

“Most vehicle accidents are avoidable and so many families in Wagga Wagga, NSW and Australia are affected by the loss or serious injury of a loved one,” Cr Tout said.

“National Road Safety Week encourages us all to have conversations about road safety, have a conversation with your children, your parents, friends, colleagues and neighbours.

“I also encourage the community to learn about the data from road accidents, and how we can prevent further serious injury and loss of life in the future.”

The community are invited to come along to Coffee with a Cop in the Wagga Wagga Civic Centre forecourt on Wednesday 8 May where Transport for NSW and NSW Police will be on hand to promote road safety – handing out resources and information between 8.30am – 11am.

Inspector Darren Moulds, Riverina Highway Patrol, said we welcome all members of the community to come forward and have a chat about road safety.

“If we want to see our roads become safer, then we need to work together as a community,” Inspector Moulds said.

“It has been a tragic time on our roads this year and no one wants to see it continue.

“This is why I want to encourage everyone to come down and have a chat with police about how to be safer on Riverina roads.”

You can join the movement and show support for National Road Safety Week by placing a yellow ribbon on your vehicle, attending local events, promoting awareness on social media using #NRSW or #DriveSoS, and taking the online pledge for safe driving at roadsafetyweek.com.au

In addition, use this week to have conversations with your family, friends, and colleagues about how to use the road more safely and ensure everyone returns home unharmed.

For more information on National Road Safety Week visit roadsafetyweek.com.au