Cumberland Council is calling on local drivers to take special care on the roads this Easter, as part of a combined push to drive down a soaring road toll in NSW.
Mayor Greg Cummings said Council was working closely with the NSW Government to keep people safe on Cumberland roads, following a doubling of the road toll over the Christmas-New Year holiday period.
In 2017, 392 people lost their lives on the road, while there were more than 12,000 serious injuries.
“Statistics from the NSW Centre for Road Safety show that Cumberland has the fourth highest casualty from crash rate of all NSW local government areas,” Mayor Cummings said.
“Cumberland Council is committed to reducing these horrifying statistics. In our local government area alone, there were 27 fatal crashes between 2012 and 2016, and 3772 crashes involving injury.
“The experts tell us that the main behavioural factors contributing to these deaths and injuries across NSW are:
- Speeding – 42 per cent
- Illicit drugs use – 19 per cent
- Tired drivers and riders – 18 per cent
- Drink-driving – 15 per cent, and
- Seatbelt non-usage – 12 per cent.
“Easter is a special opportunity for family to spend time together and to reflect. We want everyone to take extra caution this long weekend so that family and friends can enjoy it together.
“Even one death or serious injury is one too many. Look out for your family and friends and urge everyone on the roads to:
- Slow down,
- Stop, Revive, Survive and take breaks when driving long distances,
- If you have had something to drink don’t risk it and drive,
- Keep your mobile phone hands free.
“A moment’s inattention, a one-off case of speeding, fatigue or not realising you’re over the limit could result in a lifetime of regrets – or no life at all.”[1]
[1] Statistics from Transport for NSW, Centre for Road Safety http://roadsafety.transport.nsw.gov.au/statistics/index.html
