Media release – Australasian College of Road Safety (ACRS), 16 May 2022
ROAD SAFETY WEEK 2022 – An important message from the Tasmania Chapter of ACRS
The newly formed Tasmania chapter of the Australasian College of Road Safety (ACRS) expressed concern at the high number of road fatalities already in the state this year. According to data from the Australian Government Department Bureau of Infrastructure and Transport Research Economics 38 people died on Tasmania roads in the 12 months up to February this year. That equals the highest number recorded in the past 10 years.
“If this continues, we will have horrific statistics by the end of 2022, we are going in the wrong direction, and this is totally unacceptable.” said Chair Jenny Branch-Allen. “Towards Zero further away instead of closer.”
The current Road Safety message from the Road Safety Council of Tasmania is clear that speed continues to be the single biggest cause of serious casualty crashes in Tasmania. As the message says “Over is over”.
There are many factors that contribute to road crashes, including conditions of roads and weather conditions but ultimately, we need to see Tasmania drivers, driving to the conditions.
Road Safety week is an important time to remember these messages.
About the Australasian College of Road Safety (ACRS)
The Australasian College of Road Safety (ACRS) is the region’s peak membership association for road safety professionals, advocates, and members of the public who are focused on saving lives and serious injuries on our roads. The College provides an inclusive, collaborative environment promoting communication, networking, professionalism and advocacy across all spheres of road safety including policy, advocacy, research, innovation, technologies, and management. ACRS membership includes experts from all areas of road safety including policy makers, academics, community organisations, researchers, federal, state and local government agencies, private companies and members of the public. ACRS Website: https://acrs.org.au/
Media release – Road Safety Advisory Council, 15 May 2022
Tasmania lights up in yellow for National Road Safety Week
Buildings around Tasmania will be lit up yellow from around 5:00pm Sunday, 15 May 2022 and will remain illuminated each night of National Road Safety Week 2022.
– Tasman Bridge, Hobart
– Bridge of Remembrance, Tasman Highway/Liverpool Street, Hobart
– Tasmania Police Headquarters, 47 Liverpool Street, Hobart
– Temple House, 43 Argyle Street (Cnr of Liverpool Street), Hobart
– Kingborough Council, Council Chambers, 15 Channel Highway, Kingston
– Burnie Makers Centre, 2 Bass Highway, Burnie
– Devonport Goliath Silos, Formby Road, Devonport
– Ritchie’s Mill Launceston, 2 Bridge Road, Launceston
– Spring Bay Mill, 555 Freestone Point Road, Triabunna
Sharing footage/images of these prominent landmarks lit in road safety yellow will help spread the road safety message with the aim of reducing death and serious injury on our roads.
Despite best efforts, the rate of death and serious injury on Tasmanian roads remains too high. 26 people have died on our roads so far this year, with another 86 people hospitalised with serious injuries, highlighting the need for initiatives such as National Road Safety Week (15 – 22 May) launched by Road Safety Advisory Council Chair (RSAC), Scott Tilyard today.
Across Tasmania, some of our favourite buildings and icons will light up in yellow to remember those we have lost and those who have been seriously injured including the Remembrance Bridge in Hobart, Ritchies Mill in Launceston, the Makers Centre in Burnie and the Goliath Silos in Devonport.
RSAC Chair, Scott Tilyard today urged Tasmanians to take the pledge to drive so others survive.
“I implore all Tasmanians to take the online pledge to drive safely at www.roadsafetyweek.com.au,” he said.
“By pledging to Drive So Others Survive, you are making a commitment to do just that.
To not speed, to put your mobile phone away, to wear your seatbelt and to not drive if you are tired or have consumed alcohol or drugs.
“Safe driving shouldn’t be restricted to the week, of course. We want to see everyone drive safely, not only throughout National Road Safety Week, but all year round,” Mr Tilyard said.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Michael Ferguson, said we’re still seeing Tasmanians dying because too many drivers choose to ignore the dangers of the “Fatal Five” – speeding, drink-or drug driving, inattention, fatigue, and failure to wear seat belts.
“In this sense, our biggest problem is not our cars, our roads or our policing. It’s our attitude and decisions we make behind the wheel. To target those who choose to do the wrong thing, the Tasmanian Government is boosting enforcement through an automated camera enforcement program,” Mr Ferguson said.
“I introduced a Bill to Parliament earlier this month to allow for this technology, which will be vital in dealing with high-risk driving behaviours.
“This contemporary mobile camera program will see an initial eight cameras on our roads, allowing for expansion to 16 cameras and functionalities such as detection of illegal mobile phone use and lack of seat belts.
“No fatality on our roads is acceptable and we simply have to work harder together to bring our deaths and serious injuries down,” he said.
Created by Peter Frazer of the Safer Australian Roads and Highways (SARAH) Group after his 23-year-old daughter was tragically killed in a car crash 10 years ago, the Week, serves as a reminder to all road users about the dangers of road travel and highlights ways we can improve our own safety and that of all other road users.
Peter Frazer said “I want to thank and commend the Tasmanian Government and the Road Safety Advisory Council for everything they are doing to protect their citizens. Unfortunately, despite our best efforts more than 12,000 Australians have died and over 400,000 seriously injured since my beautiful daughter Sarah was killed by a distracted driver a decade ago.
How to get involved
- Choose to drive safely and take an online pledge to do that at www.roadsafetyweek.com.au
- Discuss driving safely with your family, friends, and colleagues
- Wear a yellow ribbon available from Service Tasmania outlets across the state.
- Visit your local icons when they are lit up in yellow.
- Promote your support for National Road Safety Week on social media using #NRSW or #DriveSoS hashtag or share social content from National Road Safety Week and the SARAH Group
Each day of the week will focus on a different area of road safety.
Daily themes
- Sunday 15 May: Remember the 1200: Today we remember the lives lost on our roads.
- Monday 16 May: The Road to Zero: Take the pledge to drive so others survive.
- Tuesday 17 May: Road trauma – the true impact: Travel safe so we can all live without injury and trauma.
- Wednesday 18 May: Protect our protectors: Slow down to protect those who protect and assist us.
- Thursday 19 May: How safe is my car: Think about safety when choosing a car and check how safe your current car is.
- Friday 20 May: Let us all get home safe: When driving, slow down and look out for pedestrians
- Saturday 21 May: Share the road: Give each other the space needed to be safe.
- Sunday 22 May: Take care on country roads: Slow down, be alert and drive to the conditions.
