Lismore Echo

Happy New Year. I trust 2018 will bring happiness and good health to you and your loved ones.

After a horrific start to the year on the roads, I appeal to everyone to make driving safely their number one New Year’s Resolution after 392 people sadly lost their lives on NSW roads in 2017. Speeding, fatigue and drink driving continue to be major factors.

Every life lost is one too many.

The Government is taking action, investing in regional roads with the ‘Fixing Country Roads’, Safer Roads Program and the Community Road Safety Fund, where every dollar from every speed camera fine is spent on road safety initiatives.

The Government this year launched a number of road safety education campaigns;

• Be Truck Aware, to improve safety around large trucks;
• Your Last Text, to target mobile phone driver distraction;
• Saving Lives on Country Roads, the first comprehensive road safety campaign to target country drivers

The government has been consulting with stakeholders and the community to formulate the state’s Road Safety Plan to help us reach our target of a 30 per cent reduction in deaths on NSW roads by 2021.

This year, I want everyone behind the wheel, on a bike, or crossing a road to think about what they are doing and take responsibility for their actions.