The ‘Towards Zero’ campaign was launched by Yass Valley Council on Monday, February 19.
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The campaign, which runs during 2018, is an initiative of the NSW Government’s Local Government Road Safety Program.
It asks drivers to take responsibility behind the wheel and pledge to change their driving habits to help save lives.
The council’s road-safety officer Derryth Nash said that the state road toll was at an all time high despite the NSW Government allocating $70 million to upgrading the road network in 2017–18.
“While governments at all levels, including Yass Valley Council, strive to reduce the annual road toll through safer roads, safer vehicles and safer speeds, we as road users can all take individual responsibility for our own driving habits,” Ms Nash said.
As part of the campaign, residents can pledge to text or talk later, take regular breaks, not driver under the influence, drive to conditions, wear a seatbelt or helmet, respect other road users, leave a safe gap or avoid taking risks.
Mayor Rowena Abbey Abbey, who made the pledge to drive to conditions, said conditions are always changing on country roads.
While our role is in enforcing traffic laws, I’d encouraged residents to do their parts from saving us to do the enforcing.
- Yass Highway Patrol sergeant Stephen Pidgeon
“So it is crucial we don’t become complacent while driving,” Cr Abbey said.
“Just because the road might be signposted with a 100km/h speed limit does not necessarily mean we should drive 100km/h.
“We need to drive to the conditions of the road and the conditions of the environment to ensure we keep ourselves and others safe,” she said.
In attendance was also Yass Highway Patrol sergeant Stephen Pidgeon.
“While our role is in enforcing traffic laws, I’d encouraged residents to do their parts from saving us to do the enforcing,” he said.
A number of businesses and community groups are supporting the campaign by providing information for people wanting to make a pledge:
- Autopro
- Mayfield Mews
- NRMA
- Riteway Curtains and Blinds
- Steve’s Quality Used Cars
- Yass IT
- Yass Men’s Shed
- Yass Outdoor Power Centre
Pledge in person at the council’s administration office or library, at a local participating business or at yassvalley.nsw.gov.au/working-towards-zero.