STATISTICS from the Australian Transport Safety Bureau tell us that 5.3 people will die on Australian roads tomorrow.
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But a national road safety program aims to cut that to zero.
Tomorrow (Friday, May 26) is Fatality Free Friday, an initiative of the Australian Road Safety Foundation (ARSF).
Launched in 2007, the Fatality Free Friday campaign has continued to expand its operation and is now recognised as Australia’s only national community-based road safety program.
Road safety is a complex issue, but the campaign has a basic premise: It encourages Australians to make the pledge: I promise that on Friday, May 26, I will:
- always be fit to drive;
- stay focused on the road;
- scan the road ahead;
- keep a safe distance; and
- drive to suit the conditions.
People can make the pledge online at fatalityfreefriday.com, or they can write a hard copy of their pledge and drop it in at their local Bob Jane T-Mart.
There’s power in the written word, and putting your promise, or goal, on paper can be influential. It’s a phenomenon the ARSF wants to harness to save lives.
Already 178,000 people have made the pledge this year.
Ultimately, the campaign aims to change driving habits all year round.
“We believe that if drivers are asked to actively concentrate on road safety and safe driving for just one day in the year, they’ll drive safer for the next few days too and, over time, change their outlook completely, consciously thinking about safety each and every day they get behind the wheel,” a spokesperson for the campaign said.
Ongoing research continues to reveal new factors that influence how safe we are on the roads.
According to new research commissioned by the ARSF and Bob Jane T-Marts, almost half of all Australians don’t ask speeding friends or family members to slow down.
By regularly speaking up, passengers in speeding cars could help to reduce a major risk factor in accidents, and to change a dangerous driving habit for good.
Drop in at Bob Jane T-Mart at Lake Haven to make your pledge, and pick up a free Fatality Free Friday key-ring while you’re there.
Manager Michael Clements urged locals to get involved.
“Sign up and support us, slow down on the roads, and make the pledge to be a safer driver,” Mr Clements said.