That’s the key message being spruiked by City of Onkaparinga Mayor Erin Thompson ahead of National Road Safety Week (16-23 May).
With around 1200 people killed and another 44,000 seriously injured each year on Australian roads, Mayor Thompson says we all need to play our part to help reduce these alarming statistics to zero.
“The key messages of National Road Safety Week are vital and they’re all about driving as if your loved ones are on the road ahead,” she explains.
Onkaparinga residents are urged to take the pledge to drive with this in mind, making sure to:
- remove all distractions and not use mobile phones while driving
- not put other people at risk by speeding, driving while tired or under the influence of alcohol/drugs
- protect all vulnerable road users, especially those whose job places them in harm’s way, by slowing down and giving them the space they need to be safe.
Mayor Thompson says council is committed to improving safety for all users on its road network.
“We recently approved an intersection audit to improve road safety at intersections along Main Road from McLaren Vale to Willunga,” she says.
“Some of our main roads are under the care, control and responsibility of the Department for Infrastructure and Transport (DIT).
“There’s also a need to improve safety at council-controlled intersections along mid-block sections of road away from intersections, where other features may pose a risk to road safety.
“We’re working with DIT to implement road safety measures—such as new line marking and signage upgrades—to improve motorists’ ability to drive in a safe manner when approaching these intersections.”
Other road safety measures council is looking at include short-term works, such as additional advanced warnings at intersections and clearing of sight lines.
Longer term works at highest-risk locations could include offsetting the side-road approaches at existing four-way junctions to remove the risk of motorists failing to notice give way and stop signs.
Council has also recently constructed wider shoulders on Cherry Gardens Road using federal Black Spot funding; installed a full-time wombat crossing at Park Avenue, Aberfoyle Park to improve safety for pedestrians; and reviewed all intersections along California Road (Tatachilla and McLaren Vale) to ensure sufficient sight distances are available.
Road safety projects planned by council from 2021-22 onwards, include working with DIT to install guard rails near Main and Malpas Roads, McLaren Vale; potential realigning Piggott Range Road near Easton Road, Chandlers Hill, to create a smoother curve and reduce the risk of run-off road crashes; and upgrading traffic calming devices along Knox Drive, Woodcroft, using federal Roads to Recovery Program funding.
Take your pledge to “drive so others survive” at roadsafetyweek.com.au