The NSW Government is urging drivers and riders to slow down and look out for others to achieve a Fatality Free Friday this week, with MPs from across the state signing a pledge in Parliament House today.

Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Paul Toole said road safety was everybody’s responsibility and commended the 279,000 road users across Australia who have pledged to have a Fatality Free Friday on 31 May.

“We all have a part to play and today I’m urging anyone who gets on the road on Friday to make sure you’re fit to drive or ride,” Mr Toole said.

“Road crashes have claimed the lives of 158 people in NSW so far this year including 103 on country roads – 10 more than for the same time last year.

“Too often, people think it’s okay for them to quickly check a text, to drive faster than the speed limit because they know the road or to get behind the wheel when they’re tired. It’s not.

“We should all be striving for a zero road toll. As of midnight 27 May, 29 electorates of 93 were fatality free. Today I’m calling on all road users to help make this Friday, and every day, fatality free.”

Australian Road Safety Foundation CEO Russell White said it’s important road users think about the consequences of their actions every time they get behind the wheel.

“The reality is that more often than not, the tragic loss of life on our roads is because of someone’s choice – the choice to speed or to use a mobile phone, the choice to drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol, the choice not wear a seatbelt or run a red light,” Mr White said.

“It is imperative we stamp out the idea that it’s just drivers who suffer the consequences of road risk taking. There’s no room for complacency and all lives must be top of mind for road users.”

In NSW there were just 20 fatality free Fridays in 2018, with speeding the most common factor in crashes. To take the Fatality Free Friday pledge and find out more visit: https://arsf.com.au/fatality-free-friday-2/

MEDIA: Eleisha Rogers 0439 867 112