Member for Kiama Gareth Ward is urging motorists to take note of National Road Safety Week as a terrific opportunity to be aware of road safety initiatives and the impact of road trauma on local communities

Road Safety Week is underway, from 11-18 May, and Ward praised the annual initiative from the Safer Australian Roads and Highways (SARAH) Group, partnering road safety organisations and government agencies.

“Sadly, every year on Australian roads approximately 1,300 people are killed and another 44,000 are seriously injured,” he said.

“In 2024, 334 people were killed on the state’s roads, with almost 70 per cent of those in regional NSW and around 40 per cent related to speeding.

“The overarching theme of National Road Safety Week 2025 this year is ‘Drive so others Survive’, with road users encouraged to make a road safety pledge. So far, more than 73,000 pledges have already been taken by Australians online.

“Importantly, this week also highlights the impact of road trauma and various ways to help to reduce it.

“Beyond the crash: Real life stories highlights people behind road crash statistics, reinforcing that every death on our roads isn’t just a number, it represents a real person, and felt by families, friends, and our local communities."

You can pledge to drive so others survive at: https://roadsafetyweek.com.au/.

If you would like to check out Beyond the crash: Real life stories, please visit: https://www.beyondthecrash.transport.nsw.gov.au.