Member for Monaro John Barilaro is urging motorists to slow down and rethink their driving habits during August as part of Road Safety Month.
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In an effort to drive down the State's road toll the NSW Government's Centre for Road Safety has partnered with The Australian Road Safety Foundation.
"People often believe that incidents on country roads are caused by motorists who are unfamiliar with the roads. The reality is that most incidents occur within a few kilometres of home, by motorists who have driven those roads many times," Mr Barilaro said.
"It's this familiarity that can lead to dangerous driver behaviour. Too often people think it is okay for them to quickly check a text or to drive faster than the speed limit because they know the road.
"The message is clear: don't drive tired. Don't text while driving. Don't drive while under the influence.
"Road safety is everyone's responsibility and we all have a part to play when we get behind the wheel. That also includes putting on a seatbelt every time."
Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Paul Toole said the NSW Government had partnered with the Australian Road Safety Foundation and the Australian Government as part of Rural Road Safety Month.
"One in three Australian drivers are more likely to undertake risky behaviour on rural roads because they believe they're either less likely to get caught or because they believe they know the road like the back of their hand," Mr Toole said.
"But the reality is country roads account for more than two-thirds of all fatalities and more than one-third of all serious injuries on NSW roads.
"In 2018, 241 people died on country roads. That's the equivalent of an entire rural community we're losing every year on our country roads.
"Every life lost on our roads is a tragedy, especially for the victim's family and friends, but it also has a ripple effect on the local community.
"In small country communities, it's not uncommon for first responders who arrive at a crash and the medical teams who try to save the lives of the drivers and passengers to know the victims."
Rural Road Safety Month runs for the duration of August and is a national awareness campaign promoting regional and rural road safety month. More information can be found at www.arsf.com.au/rrsw-home
