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Last Updated: Monday, 15 May 2023 15:34

Published: Monday, 15 May 2023 13:43

Toowoomba Regional Council (TRC) is reminding residents to observe the 2023 National Road Safety Week pledge: To Drive so Others Survive.

Toowoomba Regional Council (TRC) Infrastructure Services Committee chair Cr Carol Taylor and TRC Infrastructure Services portfolio leader Cr Melissa Taylor today (May 15) joined Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) officers, emergency services and LifeFlight representatives at Toowoomba’s LifeFlight base to launch the road safety campaign that runs until Sunday, May 21.

Toowoomba Region Mayor Paul Antonio said National Road Safety Week placed a sharp focus on driver behaviour and reinforced important safety messages for all road users.

“Every agency supporting this campaign is committed to saving lives and reducing road accident injuries that cause untold grief and have a huge financial and social cost to our community,” Mayor Antonio said.

“Improving driver behaviour is critical. I encourage everyone to assess their own habits and focus their full attention on the road.

“Drivers also need to pay extra attention to hazards on the roads. We’ve seen too many fatal accidents in our Region and across the state this year already, which must be addressed.”

Cr Carol Taylor said the national campaign was a reminder that we all have collective and individual responsibilities as road users, whether we are pedestrians, cyclists, public transport passengers, motorcyclists or motorists.

“Road safety is a shared responsibility, and everyone can play their part by always focusing on the fatal five: avoid driver distractions, avoid speeding, drink and drug driving, wear a seat belt and never drive when tired,” Cr Taylor said.

“Please remember to avoid taking risks behind the wheel as you not only endanger your own life, but the lives of passengers, other motorists and road users around you.

“Council is committed to improving road safety through better engineering on our road projects and advocating for road safety education and enforcement, in addition to investigating new technologies to improve road management and safety.

“Council is working to update its Road Safety Strategy. This refresh will ensure that our strategy serves as an action plan that helps Council, our key stakeholders and the community participate in road safety initiatives across the Region.

“Council will keep advocating to state and federal governments to reverse the reduction in road funding in real terms for regional and rural roads. Increasing funding for road infrastructure projects is vital to keep pace with higher traffic volumes and community expectations.

“As we ramp up work on our permanent reconstruction works under our current Flood Recovery Program, I ask motorists to please be patient and observe all roadwork signs.

“Council’s capital works program invests in projects that enhance safety and improve traffic flow for all road users across our Region’s extensive road networks (more than 6,600 km of sealed and unsealed roads).

“Council applies for available road funding grants, including allocations under the federally funded Black Spot program, which delivers projects that reduce the incidence and severity of road traffic crashes.

“We also work collaboratively with TMR and the Police and thank all emergency services agencies for the work they perform around the clock to keep our community safe.”

Caption: TRC Infrastructure Services Committee chair Cr Carol Taylor (second from right), TRC Infrastructure Services portfolio leader Cr Melissa Taylor (right) join Queensland Ambulance Service Superintendent Glen Maule (left), Queensland Fire and Emergency Service Chief Superintendent Warren Buckley and Queensland Police Service Inspector Paul James to call on all road users to take the pledge, To Drive so Others Survive.

National Road Safety Week 2023, 14-21 May

National Road Safety Week is an annual initiative from the Safer Australian Roads and Highway (SARAH) Group, partnering with government and road safety advocates to highlight the effects of road trauma and ways to reduce it.

Activities:
• CANCELLED Tuesday, May 16: Coffee with a Cop – Middle Ridge State School (in Dunsdon Park in Spring Street) 8-9am

• Friday, May 19: Walk safely to school day – Meringandan State School, 7.30-9am.

Take the Pledge – Lead the way: Lead the pledge to drive so others survive and sign up online at www.roadsafetyweek.com.au