Eurobodalla Council is urging motorists to take the pledge to drive safely in the lead up to Fatality Free Friday this week.
An initiative of the Australian Road Safety Foundation (ARSF), Fatality Free Friday aims for zero deaths on Australian roads for one day.
It encourages drivers to join forces to beat road trauma and take the pledge to always be fit to drive, stay focused on the road, scan the road ahead, keep a safe distance and drive to suit the conditions.
Eurobodalla Council’s road safety officer Kate McDougall said that to date, 279,020 pledges had been signed.
“Council is supporting this event for the first time by encouraging residents to sign the pledge, either online or at the Council Chambers in Moruya on Fatality Free Friday,” she said.
“By ending risky driver behaviour we can help save lives on our roads.”
According to the ARSF, road trauma is the number one killer of children aged 14 and under, and the second highest of young people under 24.
ARSF founder and CEO Russell White said research showed more than half of Australian parents admitted to breaking road laws or undertaking risky behaviour when their own children were in the car.
“While parents are most guilty of bad behaviour with children in the car, the majority of Australian drivers seem to believe it is acceptable to take even greater risks if it’s just themselves in the car,” Mr White said.
“However, the stark reality is that any time you take a risk behind the wheel, you are putting the lives of every motorist, passenger, cyclist and pedestrian around you at risk.
“It’s imperative we stamp out the idea that it’s just drivers who suffer the consequences of road risk taking. There’s no room for complacency and all lives must be top of mind for road users.”
Motorists can take the pledge at Eurobodalla Shire Council Chambers, at the corner of Campbell and Vulcan Streets Moruya, on Friday 31 May between 8.30am-4.30pm.
Alternatively the pledge can be signed online at arsf.com.au/fatality-free-friday
