Written by Government of Western Australia

National Road Safety Week 2018, April 30 – May 6, has been officially launched in Perth’s Yagan Square.

Landmarks around Australia, including WA icons such as the Elizabeth Quay bridge, the Bell Tower, Council House, the Gateway Sky Ribbon on Tonkin Highway and the new Mandurah Traffic Bridge, will glow yellow during the week as a reminder of the lives lost on our roads.

Acting Commissioner Iain Cameron joined Road Safety Minister Michelle Roberts and Safer Australian Roads and Highways (SARAH) Group President Peter Frazer under the yellow canopy of the Yagan Square Amphitheatre on Sunday night to launch National Road Safety Week with the theme ‘Drive so others survive’. Mr Frazer founded National Road Safety Week in 2013, to raise awareness of the impact of road trauma on a national scale after his daughter Sarah and a tow truck driver were killed in a tragic crash in New South Wales in 2012.

“I am honoured that the SARAH Group and Peter Frazer chose Perth for the national launch of this year’s National Road Safety Week,” said Mr Cameron.

“As WA landmarks glow yellow in acknowledgement of the lives lost and the families impacted by road trauma in this state, we encourage everyone to have road safety at the forefront of their minds this week and beyond.”
“Last year, our National Road Safety Week experience with the Road Safety Commission was exceptional,” said Mr Frazer.

“And as national events are usually based in Sydney or Melbourne, this year we decided to head West and make WA the epicentre of National Road Safety Week for 2018.”
In 2017, more than 1200 lives were lost on Australian roads, 161 of those people were killed in Western Australia.

“The only acceptable number of road deaths is zero, and we all need to do our bit as we work towards zero fatalities on our roads,” said Mr Cameron.

“National Road Safety Week is an opportunity to start the conversation about road safety with your loved ones, particularly those who may not know what it means to be impacted by road trauma.

“You can also take the SARAH Group pledge to drive safely and share the pledge with friends and family on social media.”

A new theme will be observed each day of National Road Safety Week:

  • Monday 30 April: Remember the 1200 (road deaths)
  • Tuesday 1 May: Protecting those who help us (first responders)
  • Wednesday 2 May: Protecting those who help us (roadside assist)
  • Thursday 3 May: Protecting every life (pedestrians: children, seniors, people with disabilities)
  • Friday 4 May: Shine a light on road safety (Headlights)
  • Saturday 5 May: Yellow ride – cyclists and motorcyclists
  • Sunday 6 May: Regional and remote road users

For more information visit the National Road Safety Week 2018 wesbite.

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© Government of Western Australia

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