LOCAL emergency services will support the Australian Road Safety Foundation (ARSF) as they continue to drive a clear message to drive down the road toll
during Fatality Free Friday tomorrow.
The nation’s largest community road safety initiative advocates that local road users have a vital role to play in reducing the road toll, with 89 South Australian lives lost last year in crashes.
Mount Gambier Ambulance Service regional team leader paramedic Joe Renko hopes the initiative tomorrow can send a clear message to the community about being safe on the roads.
“It’s a great initiative as it really highlights the importance for people to drive safely and take care to avoid any serious accidents,” Mr Renko said.
“As an ambulance service, we never want to be called out to any serious road accidents, particularly those that are fatal.”
Mount Gambier Police Senior Sergeant Chris King said it would be “business as usual” for local patrols as they are always 100pc committed to enforcing road safety.
“Each month as a police force, we always have a specific focus on something that might cause road accidents and this month that was seatbelts,” Snr Sgt King said.
“We are disappointed with the number of drivers who continue to ignore road rules, such as not wearing a seatbelt.”
Snr Sgt King said police are always focusing on the “fatal five” to try to prevent serious accidents.
“The fatal five consists of distraction, speeding, dangerous road users, seatbelts and drink and drug driving,” he said.
ARSF chief executive Russell White said reducing the tragic loss of life on the roads can only stem from peer pressure and not authorities dictating road laws.
“Reducing the death toll on our roads must come from community action and not just from the authorities dictating road laws,” he said.
Some damning statistics released by the ARSF have highlighted not only the irresponsible behaviour of drivers, but also those who sit idly by and allow stupidity to continue.
Around 44pc of South Australians do not ask speeding friends or family members to slow down and 46pc of passengers riding with a texting taxi, Uber or professional driver will not ask them to put their phone away.
“We need to create a culture where we call each other out on bad behaviour behind the wheel, instead of shuffling the responsibility onto others,” Mr White said.
“Obviously nobody goes out looking to be in a road crash, but not everyone goes out deliberately looking to avoid one either and that is evident every time someone speeds, takes a risk on the road, or uses their mobile phone,” he said.
Mr White implored local road users to take the digital road safety pledge and share their commitment via social media to spread awareness about Fatality Free Friday.
“We urge every motorist, passenger, cyclist and pedestrian to visit our website to pledge their support for this vital community initiative, then change their profile picture on Facebook and Twitter to let everyone know they are serious about change,” Mr White said.
While a clear message needs to be sent, Mr White said it is also important to reflect and respect people’s loved ones who have passed away as a result of a road accident.
“This Fatality Free Friday, we ask everyone to spare a thought for the loved ones left behind after a fatal road crash for whom there are constant daily reminders,” Mr White said.
“The letters that still arrive addressed to the person who lost their life, sitting in the mailbox as a cruel testament to the senseless loss that will forever leave its scar.”
