National Road Safety Week Tragic Results

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Tragic National Road Safety Week

Last week’s National Road Safety Week resulted in the loss of 42 lives on our roads. This exceeded the 36-deaths in the previous 12-days of May.

Nationally police road safety operations targeted speed, drink and drug driving. These had little effect as few drivers were aware that authorities were asking them to drive safely, as there was little continual communication. This contrasts with National Volunteer Week the following week, which drew wide media and community engagement.

Drivers were observed at their worst in torrential rain along the east coast. In Sydney many saw a chance to test their vehicle handling in the wet. There was little evidence of drivers slowing down in adverse conditions.

Police reported speeding, street racing, drink and drug driving. It’s clear from the high number of deaths that driver behaviour is deteriorating and current fines and sanctions are not working.

Federal and state transport ministers have lost control of road safety. Road deaths have continually increased for 5-years. The Anzac Day break saw more tragic losses now the National Road Safety Week results confirm that driver behaviour needs addressing urgently.

The government’s response to the last 5-years carnage has been abysmal. We’re on track to exceed last year’s 1306 lives lost, a 12 year-record loss. It’s unlikely that the new federal government or the states will review the National Road Safety Strategy or address deteriorating driver behaviour.

National Road Safety Week ran between between 11-to-18th May, this is an annual program to buld awareness of road safety and safe driving.