The ACT Government is asking Canberrans to take the pledge to drive so others survive this National Road Safety Week, which runs from 16 to 22 May.
Chris Steel, ACT Minister for Transport and City Services, said too many people are killed or seriously injured on ACT roads every year.
“In 2021, there were 11 lives lost in preventable road crashes in the ACT, and we have already seen another six road deaths so far in 2022,” said Mr Steel.
“Across Canberra this week, many of our national icons and buildings will light up in yellow to remember those we have lost and who have been seriously injured.
“Every road death takes its toll in the form of heartache to family and friends.
“National Road Safety Week is an important opportunity to remind Canberrans that road safety is everyone’s responsibility.
“When we get behind the wheel, we take responsibility for the lives of the entire community.
“Driving so others survive means sticking to the speed limit, driving to the conditions and leaving your phone alone.”
Mick Gentleman, ACT Minister for Police and Emergency Services, reminded drivers to slow down to 40km/h when they see stationary emergency services vehicles with flashing lights.
“Our emergency services personnel from ACT Ambulance, ACT Fire & Rescue, and ACT Policing respond to an array of incidents on our roads – some of which are critical,” Mr Gentlemen said.
“It’s common to feel concerned when you see an emergency vehicle responding to an incident, but the best thing you can do is slow down.
“And all road users should take care on the roads, stay alert and drive to the conditions.”
The ACT maintains a lower number of road fatalities per capita than the national average, the politicians stated. However, it was important to remember that even one death is too many. Minimising the risk of road trauma requires constant vigilance, and there was still much more to do to reach zero injuries or fatalities.
The ACT Government continues to work towards the Vision Zero initiative to see no deaths or serious injuries on ACT roads.
Peter Frazer, founder of the SARAH Group (Safer Australian Roads and Highways), commended the ACT Government for everything they did to protect their citizens.
“Unfortunately, despite our best efforts, more than 12,000 Australians have died, and over 400,000 [been] seriously injured, since my beautiful daughter Sarah was killed by a distracted driver a decade ago,” Mr Frazer said.
“There are so many elements to enabling road safety. We need to keep building and maintaining safe infrastructure, and supporting compliance technologies that change behaviour, like road safety cameras.
“We need to ensure road rules focus on the active protection of those who are vulnerable, and make sure our justice system enforces those rules.
“However, none of these measures work if every driver does not actively commit to looking after all those on the road ahead.
“Choosing to drive to the speed limit; to not get distracted by mobile phones or passengers; to not drive under the influence of drink or drugs or when tired. These are all active choices we need to make every time we sit in the driver’s seat to ensure everyone on the road gets home safely, every day, with no exceptions,” he said.
