Time to rethink the road safety message
A fresh approach is needed.
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The road toll is tragic and life changing for those involved, serious injury is also life changing.
Repeating this fact and reliving stories of peoples’ loss, while well meaning, is too easily dismissed by the “it won’t happen to me” factor.
Fortunately, for most people this is the fact, it doesn’t happen.
There is no doubting that we should all behave as though it might happen to us, but do we?
This tactic has been used by the government for years and it hasn’t worked. Our road toll is going up.
Other initiatives have also not worked, in particular speed limit enforcement.
We need something for people to think about, something that causes people to know when their driving could be better.
Apart from obeying rules, how often do we give much thought to how we drive?
Driving is a thinking process and should demand all of a driver’s attention while in motion.
We need, obviously, to continue the successful random breath testing, distraction (especially mobile phones), fatigue and seatbelt campaigns, but much more needs to be said about the ingredients of poor driving, without threats and shock tactics.
It would be great to see the government consult with driving experts outside the RMS about defensive driving, planning, looking ahead, assessing speed for appropriateness (not the speed limit, which is so often unsafe), how to deal with a wet road (it’s more than just slow down), for example.
It would also be wonderful to see some intelligent videos on a wide range of topics to educate our drivers.
It’s not automatically safe if a driver is sober, awake, not using his/her phone, wearing the seatbelt and not exceeding the speed limit.
Plenty could still be unsafe.
It’s quite dangerous to assume that these factors are all that matter.
Indeed, many lives have been lost without breaking any rules.
Fresh, new advice is needed, constantly.
Your recent articles contain nothing new.
There is ample speeding fine revenue to easily pay for a wide-ranging and penetrating campaign that’s constantly updated.
I believe that almost all drivers try to drive safely, but have our authorities provided complete advice about how?
Bruce Harper, Wagga
‘Misallocation of funds’
Premier Berejiklian’s decision to spend $2.5 billion on demolishing and then rebuilding two sports stadiums in Sydney reflects the wrong priorities.
This is money that should be spent on our schools and hospitals.
It is wasteful spending that can’t be justified.
It is an insult to communities across our state.
Just think what $2.5 billion could do for our schools, hospitals and TAFEs.
Countless rural roads could be improved for a fraction of that price.
And what about community sporting fields, showgrounds and other facilities that would benefit from long overdue upgrades?
It is shocking that local MPs representing the Liberals and Nationals are supporting this decision.
It is a dreadful misallocation of money that is out of touch with community values.
Luke Foley MP, Leader of the Labor Party
- Do you have something to say or is there something that is bothering you? We would like to hear from you about the issues relevant in your community. Please send your thoughts and opinions for publication to madeleine.clarke@fairfaxmedia.com.au.