Rural Road Safety Month - Road Trauma Support Group, NSW Urges Rural and Regional Drivers to Prioritise Safe Driving and Government to Share Data

MEDIA RELEASE

02 SEPTEMBER 2024

The Road Trauma Support Group (RTSG) is emphasising the critical importance of safe driving on rural and regional roads this Rural Road Safety Month.

In its seventh year, the nationwide campaign aims to raise awareness about rural road safety throughout the month of September.

RTSG Group spokesperson Tom Daher said, “Whether you're a long-time rural resident or just passing through, your commitment to obeying road rules, practicing vigilance, and making responsible choices can save lives.”

In 2023, 1,262 people lost their lives on Australian roads, with more than two-thirds of those deaths occurring in regional or rural areas. An analysis of Australian Bureau of Statistics data shows that NSW had the highest number of fatalities, with 232 deaths in regional areas alone.

Research by RTSG and Fifty Five5/Accenture Song, ‘The Unheard of Trauma of Fatal Road Crimes’ found that in 2022 49% of criminal road crashes occurred in regional locations, but only 38% of NSW residents lived in these locations.

“This is a stark reminder of the pressing need for rural road users in particular to actively participate in reducing road trauma and ensuring safer driving practices,” Mr. Daher added.

Further research by RTSG and FiftyFive5/Accenture Song, ‘The Enduring Impact of Criminal Road Trauma’ highlights the gravity of the situation:

• 351 people were killed on NSW roads in 2023, marking an increase of 70 deaths from the previous year.
• 1.8 million adults in the NSW community personally know someone who was killed on the roads, an increase of 10.8% from 2022.
• 280,657 adults personally know someone who was killed on the road because someone else broke the law, up 11.8% from 2022.

“These road toll figures are not just numbers; they represent mothers, fathers, sons, daughters, aunts, uncles, friends, colleagues, and neighbours. Each death causes a tidal wave of impacts on the family and friends left behind, especially when road crimes are involved,” said Mr. Daher.

The paper ‘The Unheard of Trauma of Fatal Road Crimes also shows, alarmingly, over half (51%) of NSW drivers openly admit to breaking road rules when traveling on rural roads. Shockingly, one in 12 (8%) people believe it's reasonable to get a lift with someone who should not be driving, and one in 13 (7%) think it is acceptable to consume alcoholic drinks and then get behind the wheel.

“This reckless behaviour poses a grave threat to the safety of all road users. Every life lost on regional and rural roads is one too many. Rural Road Safety Month serves as a poignant reminder that safety is a collective responsibility. We implore all drivers to drive safely and obey road rules. Let's work together to reduce road trauma and create safer communities,” Mr. Daher added.

Deaths on NSW roads are increasing rapidly, defying efforts to save lives. Australia aims to reduce annual fatalities on the roads by 50% by 2030. Yet, progress is going in the wrong direction, with fatalities growing rapidly—up 25% in NSW in 2023 compared to the year before.

Mr. Daher also called for greater transparency and data sharing: “State and Territory Governments must release more data about the causes of crashes, the condition of roads, and the effectiveness of police traffic enforcement so we can understand why Australians are more than four times more likely to die driving on regional roads than in cities.”

Rural Road Safety Month is a critical time to reflect on the ongoing road safety crisis in regional Australia. We must all take responsibility for our actions on the road to ensure that no more families have to endure the loss of a loved one.