Newsroom

7 May 2019
Drive so that others survive

Drivers are being encouraged to lead the way and make a pledge ‘to drive so that others survive’ as part of National Road Safety Week.

Running from 6 -12 May, National Road Safety Week is an annual initiative from the Safer Australian Roads and Highways (SARAH) Group that aims to highlight the impact of road trauma and ways to reduce it.

Over the week, national and state icons will turn yellow while emergency vehicles, fleet trucks, cars, motorbikes and bicycles will display yellow ribbons to honour those who have lost their lives on Australian roads.

Bicycle Network is also encouraging members and friends to don a yellow ribbon on their bikes and ride with their lights on to shine a light on road safety this week. This Friday, turn your bike lights on for people who have tragically lost their lives on our roads. 

Many people are affected by road trauma and it is vital that we support them and show just how important it is that action is taken to reduce the toll.

Road safety is a serious issue. Every year, more than 1,200 people are killed and another 35,000 seriously injured on Australian roads. The number of people who get killed while riding a bike in Australia is also not decreasing. The national average has been stuck on 37 for two decades.

Each day of Road Safety Week will focus on a different theme:

  • Monday 6 May: Remember the 1200 – pause to remember the 1200 people who die each year in road crashes at 12pm
  • Tuesday 7 May: Take the pledge, lead the way – take the online pledge to drive so that you and others survive
  • Wednesday 8 May: Move over and slow down– keep our emergency roadside responders safe by giving them space when you see flashing lights
  • Thursday 9 May: Protecting every life – drive to protect our vulnerable road users (pedestrians, children, seniors, people with a disability)
  • Friday 10 May: Shine the light on rural road safety – turn on your headlights to show your support
  • Saturday 11 May: Share the roads – give cyclists and motorcyclists space on the roads
  • Sunday 12 May: Mother's Day – the greatest gift you can give mum is for everyone to get home safe.

National Road Safety Week 2019 coincides with the United Nations Global Road Safety Week 2019, which is the final Global Road Safety Week to be held within the UN Decade of Action on Road Safety 2011–2020.

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