 |
|
|
RoadWise
Road Safety Newsletter |
|
|
|
| MARCH 2015 |
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
In this issue...
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
| Blessing of the Roads 2015 campaign update |
|
| The WALGA RoadWise Program’s Blessing of the Roads campaign encourages organisations and individuals to help raise awareness of road safety in the lead up to and during the Easter long weekend across Western Australia. |
|
Local Governments and organisations are participating by running events, erecting displays, promoting the campaign messages to their networks and recognising the efforts of local police and emergency services personnel.
Individuals can participate by spreading the campaign messages to friends and family as well as being responsible road users: turn off your mobile phone before driving; travel at a safe speed; belt up when travelling in a vehicle and ensure children are correctly restrained; if you're drinking, arrange a skipper, organise public transport or stay overnight; and take a break, have a rest or if possible swap drivers.
Many Local Governments and organisations are busy planning their Blessing of the Roads activities this month, with a number of events running in the lead up to the Easter long weekend.
For a complete list of Blessing of the Roads events, visit the events page of the RoadWise Program website. |
|
| To find out more about the campaign or to download resources, visit the Blessing of the Roads campaign page or contact your local Road Safety Advisor. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| RoadWise website members section - Are you a member? |
|
| The February edition of the RoadWise Road Safety Newsletter included an article about the redeveloped RoadWise Program website which is celebrating its one year anniversary. |
|
This month we are showcasing the 'members only' section of the RoadWise Program website which includes additional resources and tools to assist members of the WA community road safety network to implement road safety activities and initiatives.
The 'members only' section includes access to information such as how to develop a Declaration for Road Safety, access to the Safe System Toolkit for Local Government, Safe System Guiding Principles for Local Government, crash map books for local roads and crash reports for local roads, Community Safe Speed Promise project guide, RoadWise Resources guide and much more. |
|
| If you are not already a member, please contact your Road Safety Advisor to find out how to access this information. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Safe System Toolkit for Local Government |
|
| The Safe System Toolkit was developed as part of WALGA’s Local Government Safe System Project, which was in operation from 2009-2013 and was developed from feedback received from the Local Government sector through a series of workshops. |
|
These workshops revealed that in general, Local Government understood their role in road safety and creating a safe system, however, additional knowledge, skills and resources were required to implement this approach.
Pictured above: The Safe System Toolkit for Local Government.
The Toolkit can assist Local Governments in developing a strategic response to improve road safety in their local area and provides practical, evidence-based solutions tailored to suit the sector. |
|
| The Safe System Toolkit for Local Government is available both electronically and in hard copy from the members only section of the RoadWise Program website. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ‘Child Car Restraints – an Introduction’ - online training available |
|
| Did you know there is an eLearning child car restraint course which provides essential information about Western Australian road traffic rules and safe practice relating to the use of child car restraints? |
|
Pictured above: Child care restraint appropriate booster seat fitting.
‘Child Car Restraints – an Introduction’ aims to provide participants with the knowledge to deliver information on the importance of appropriate selection and use of child car restraints in Western Australia.
The course does not address the installation of child car restraints but will benefit those people or organisations responsible for the transport of children or the education of parents and carers of children 7 years and under. |
|
| To find out more about this self-paced three hour course, visit the WALGA Training website or email WALGA Training. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Metropolitan road safety display trailer gets a revamp |
|
| The Perth metro road safety display trailer has been repainted and new decals have been installed resulting in the trailer looking as good as new once again. |
|
The Town of Bassendean have housed the metro road safety display trailer in their depot for a number of years, providing a central location for other Local Governments and community groups to gain access.
Pictured above: The repainted and revived Perth metro road safety display trailer.
The RoadWise Program has road safety display trailers located in six regions across WA including the Pilbara, Wheatbelt, Perth metropolitan area, South West, Great Southern and Goldfields-Esperance.
The trailers are a valuable resource regularly booked by Local Governments and community groups enabling them to raise awareness of road safety at various community events.
Road safety events and displays can be made stress-free by using a trailer which is easy to transport, quick to assemble and comes complete with road safety resources. Each trailer has an inbuilt television, laptop and competition box which is an ideal way to promote key road safety messages to the public. |
|
| If you are interested in planning an activity and would benefit from the use of a road safety display trailer, contact your Road Safety Advisor. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Morawa RoadWise Committee develops plan of action |
|
| The Morawa RoadWise Committee is one of the first committees in the Mid-West region to develop their annual action plan for 2015. |
|
The productive planning session included a warm welcome for several new committee members, great discussion and resulted in a comprehensive road safety action plan for the year ahead.
Pictured above: Morawa RoadWise Committee members planning the year ahead.
Local issues and actions that align to the Towards Zero road safety strategy were the primary focus. The plan addresses all four cornerstones of the safe system approach and brought about clarity of approach to local road safety issues. |
|
| If you would like to find out how to develop a local road safety action plan, please contact your Road Safety Advisor. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Hedland RoadWise farewells road safety stalwart |
|
| The Port Hedland RoadWise Committee has bid farewell to road safety champion Bob Neville. |
|
Bob has spent more than 40 years working tirelessly to improve life in the Pilbara region. As well as spending the past 18 years as the Chief Executive of the Bloodwood Tree Association, Bob has served as a Town of Port Hedland Councillor and Mayor and as the chair of the Port Hedland RoadWise Committee, among other things.
As committee chair, Bob lead members in identifying and addressing local road safety issues. From speaking with stakeholders and advocating for safer roads, to serving coffee in the outback to tired drivers, Bob worked with the committee to improve road safety outcomes for the local community.
Pictured above: Bob Neville who leaves the Pilbara region after more than 40 years. |
|
| Bob is leaving the Pilbara region for the Wheatbelt town of Toodyay where he will undoubtedly continue his passion for community. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Metro South RoadWise Technical Group provides a coordinated approach |
|
| Southern metropolitan Local Government technical officers have formed the RoadWise Technical Group which aims to provide a coordinated approach to improving road safety outcomes on roads in the region. |
|
The group meets quarterly to discuss local road safety issues, share ideas and enjoy morning tea. It provides an opportunity to talk about current programs and projects as well as seek advice and learn from fellow practitioners.
Guest speakers are invited to provide expert information on particular topics, identified by group members, to enhance knowledge about the implementation of safe roads and roadsides. |
|
| For more information about the RoadWise Technical Group, contact Engel Prendergast, Senior Road Safety Consultant. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Sharing responsibility of straying livestock on roads |
|
| In the north of WA straying livestock, as well as wildlife such as kangaroos and emus, on road reserves can pose a serious safety hazard to road users. Drivers need to be aware and take care. |
|
Acknowledging that this issue is a shared responsibility, Main Roads WA, the Pastoralists and Graziers Association, the Office of Road Safety and WALGA have formed the WA Straying Livestock Advisory Group.
This group has developed strategies to improve driver safety and awareness including targeted awareness campaigns, improved roadside signage, joint funding for fencing, supplementary funds to address hotspots and investigation into innovations.
Picture above: signage designed to caution drivers about the dangers of straying livestock. |
|
| For more information go to www.mainroads.wa.gov.au |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Promoting the safe system approach in Broomehill-Tambellup |
|
| Getting involved in delivering a safe road transport system was on the agenda at the February meeting of the Shire of Broomehill-Tambellup. |
|
Road Safety Advisor (Great Southern) Erin McDonald-Lee presented Councillors with information about the safe system approach to road safety, the cornerstones of the Towards Zero road safety strategy, and examples of ways in which Local Government can become more involved in road safety in their communities.
Councillors also had the opportunity to learn more about WALGA’s Local Road Crash Reports. |
|
| For information about how your Local Government can become more involved in road safety, visit the ‘Get Involved’ section on the RoadWise Program website. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Targeting single vehicle crashes in the Wheatbelt North region |
|
| The most common killed or serious injury (KSI) crash site in the Wheatbelt region is a 110km/h speed zone (61%). The most common crash type (53%) is a single vehicle hitting an object (not an animal) and 23% of all KSI crashes in the region are non-collision, single vehicle rollover or run-off road1. |
|
The contributing factors of run-off road crashes range from fatigue, speed, distraction and driver impairment (drink/drug driving).
With these statistics in mind, the Toodyay RoadWise Committee has embarked on a local campaign to encourage drivers to avoid driving tired, pay attention to the conditions of the road and not speed, because the faster we drive, the less time and distance we have to react. |
|
Please contact Cliff Simpson, Road Safety Advisor on 0409 686 138 to find out more.
1 Office of Road Safety http://www.ors.wa.gov.au/Statistics/Wheatbelt |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Building on the success of the Fatigue Road Stop |
|
| The Albany RoadWise Committee has commenced planning for this year’s Easter Fatigue Road Stop, in partnership with local police. |
|
This event has been a fixture on the local road safety calendar for more than 10 years, and is an example of successful collaboration between road safety agencies and community groups on a local level.
Pictured above: The Albany Fatigue Stop in action.
This year, the committee will be looking at how to add value to the event through additional promotions and involvement of the broader community. |
|
| For more information, please contact Road Safety Advisor (Great Southern), Erin McDonald Lee. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Australian Anglers Association raises awareness of driver fatigue |
|
| The Melville Amateur Angling Club combined with Recfishwest to raise an awareness of the dangers of driver fatigue at the Swanfish WA fishing event on 21 and 22 February. |
|
Organiser John Crompton has himself been a victim of a road traffic crash as a result of driving whilst tired so has a particular passion to promote the ‘driving tired can kill’ message in the hope other drivers will consider the risks of fatigue whilst driving.
Pictured: Swanfish WA fishing event promotes the fatigue message to anglers.
John set up a static display at the Swanfish event including a ‘Driving tired can kill. Don’t drive tired’ banner.
Participants and their families were also provided with litter bags containing brochures and merchandise with road safety messages.
John engaged many in discussions about how to recognise driver fatigue and solutions to combat fatigue such as stop for a break or coffee, swap drivers where possible and stop to have a short sleep if possible.
Congratulations to John Crompton for his efforts to promote an awareness of driver fatigue within the fishing community. |
|
| For more information about fatigue, visit the Office of Road Safety website. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Ride Right free motorcycle and scooter rider road craft course |
|
| Dave Wright, president of the Motorcycle Riders Association WA organised several Ride Right courses during 2014 including several/multiple events during Motorcycle Week in November. |
|
These events were supported by the City of Swan RoadWise Committee, the City of Stirling and the City of Joondalup.
The Ride Right course is free to registered motorcycle and scooter riders and aims to update skills and improve knowledge. The theory enhanced course is designed to inform participants of the latest road rules, riding techniques and safety technology.
Motorcyclists made up 16% of those killed and 14% of those seriously injured in Western Australia between 2004 and 2013. The Ride Right initiative is a step towards educating new and existing riders and those returning to riding after a period away.
Pictured above: Participants in one of the free Ride Right motorcycle courses. |
|
Dave Wright is planning to conduct further Ride Right courses during 2015. For more information please call Dave on 0418 954 424 or email davmar08@bigpond.com.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| St Ives takes workplace road safety seriously |
|
| The St. Ives Group has committed to raising awareness of road safety amongst their employees as part of their Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Policy. |
|
The St. Ives OHS committee invited a representative from the RoadWise Program to provide road safety information to support workers who regularly travel by car to visit clients. The topics discussed at a support workers meeting on 5 February included the dangers of driver fatigue, speeding and use of mobile phones whilst driving.
Recognising safety as the number one priority for employees, St Ives has created a character called OSHIE (Our Safety & Health Is Everything). OSHIE is used as a fun tool to promote key road safety messages as well as other workplace safety issues.
Picture above: OSHIE the St Ives safety mascot.
Other initiatives to promote road safety to employees at St. Ives include the uptake of a two-hour safe driver training program for support workers. Each two-hour session provides knowledge and understanding of various driver contexts with an aim to give employees the skills to reduce the risk their having a road traffic crash. Educational road safety messages will also be sent out on employee payslips. |
|
| For information regarding workplace road safety initiatives contact your Road Safety Advisor. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| New road safety conference – abstracts now open |
|
| The inaugural 2015 Australasian Road Safety Conference will be held on the Gold Coast from 14 – 16 October. |
|
This conference is the result of a merger of Australia’s two premier road safety conferences: the Australasian College of Road Safety Conference, and the Australasian Road Safety Research, Policing and Education Conference.
Abstract submissions are now open for oral presentations, poster presentations, and symposium proposals. |
|
| For more information, visit the Australasian Road Safety Conference website. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| WALGA |
|
ONE70, LV1, 170 Railway Parade,
West Leederville, WA 6007
PO Box 1544, West Perth, WA 6872
Tel: (08) 9213 2000 | Fax: (08) 9213 2077
Email: info@walga.asn.au
www.walga.asn.au |
|
| © Copyright Western Australian Local Government Association 2014 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
