May 7, 2015
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has joined with road safety advocates in welcoming calls from the Prime Minister to remember the victims of road trauma with a minute’s silence today.
Prime Minister Abbott has provided a video statement in support of this week’s Yellow Ribbon National Road Safety Week, asking all Australians to get behind the “1200@1200” initiative.
At midday on Thursday May 7, Australians are invited to observe a minute’s silence to remember the 1200 Australians who died on our roads last year.
Mr Chester, who is co-chair of the Parliamentary Friends of Road Safety, said the Prime Minister’s support reflected the importance of reducing the national road toll.
“Everybody in Australia, from the average person on the street right up to the Federal Government, have a responsibility to keep reinforcing the importance of safe driving in our communities,” Mr Chester said.
“About 1200 Australians are killed and more than 30,000 seriously injured each year on our roads, often causing irreversible trauma for victims, their families and first responders.
“There is also the horrendous economic impact of road trauma, costing the economy more than $27 billion each year.
“Many Australians are getting the message and the road toll is dropping. But we need to keep working hard to ensure everyone gets home safely.”
Peter Frazer, president of Safer Australian Roads and Highways (SARAH), thanked the Prime Minister for his personal support of Yellow Ribbon National Road Safety Week.
“We are very grateful that the Prime Minister is championing our efforts to improve road safety,” Mr Frazer said.
“I also note that Road Safety Week is an event of 2015 United Nations Global Road Safety Week. As UN Road Safety Week has adopted the theme “Save Kids Lives”, SARAH will focus on the safety of our most vulnerable road users: our children.
“In addition to the PM’s video statement, we are very grateful that the Governor General, Hon Sir Peter Cosgove AK MC has once again honoured us by providing his 2015 Road Safety Statement.”
Next Friday May 14 will also mark “Fatality Free Friday”, where federal politicians are invited to sign a pledge to display safe driving habits when behind the wheel.
A link to the PMs Road Safety Week video. https://youtu.be/kWy34xUj4cs