The IPWEA/RTA Local Government Road Safety Strategy works to raise the priority of road safety in Local Government. This is achieved through support for Council road safety strategic planning, the administration of funding for local road safety initiatives and through the presentation of annual Local Government Excellence in Road Safety Awards, to recognise outstanding Council achievements.
The IPWEA/RTA Strategy is one element of the NSW Local Government Road Safety Program conducted as part of Road Safety 2010, a framework for increasing road safety in NSW. The 2006 Local Government Excellence in Road Safety Awards attracted 27 nominations from some 56 Councils across NSW. The awards, sponsored by the Motor Accidents Authority, were presented at the Annual Conference of the Institute of Public Works Engineering Australia (IPWEA) – NSW Division, in Sydney on Monday 22 May 2006. For further information, please contact Jacqui Clarke, Road Safety Project Manager, on (02) 8267 3012.
JOINT WINNERS
Kempsey Shire and Port Macquarie-Hastings Councils
Aboriginal Road Safety and Licensing Program
The Aboriginal Road Safety and Licensing Program was planned and developed in consultation with a number of agencies dealing in health, employment, family, culture, transport and crime prevention. The program assists Aboriginal people to obtain their drivers licence and provide them with the knowledge and skills to maintain this licence. The program presented road safety information during a two day workshop. The workshops aimed to foster and promote service delivery of existing programs and reduce the cost of road trauma and injury accidents. The program has provided direct outcomes including employment and greater community mobility. The Aboriginal Road Safety and Licensing Program was commended for its identification of a local issue and road safety partners, innovation and coordinated planning. The participation rates and outcomes were excellent with clear plans for future expansion outlined. Judges noted that the project has the potential to deliver road safety benefits into the future.
Yass Valley Council and Upper Lachlan Shire Councils
Gravel Roads – Take Me Home Country Road
The Gravel Roads – Take Me Home Country Road project raised awareness of the range of potential hazards motorists may encounter on unsealed roads. Crash data analysed over a five year period identified that up to 22 per cent of all crashes in the two Council areas had occurred on gravel roads and of those crashes, 36 per cent involved motorists from the ACT. Much research and planning was undertaken in identifying the correct messages in which to reach the target audience. The project included a number of strategies such as educational brochures, radio announcements, TV advertisements, fact sheets and an official launch. The project has lead to the development of a road safety alliance between a range of road safety stakeholders from NSW and the ACT. Gravel Roads – Take Me Home Country Road was commended for its clear identification of a local road safety issue, target group and countermeasures. It included a comprehensive communication strategy, a review of road signage and maintenance practices and a thorough evaluation component.
HIGHLY COMMENDED
Coffs Harbour City, Kempsey Shire and Port Macquarie-Hastings Councils
Mid North Coast Night Rider -Late Night Bus Service
This late night bus service was developed in response to the high level of drink driving in the three Council areas, along with a number of drink walking incidents. As with many regional areas, there were no late night transport options to assist people with getting home after a night out. In response to these concerns, the Councils and their respective Liquor Accords worked together on developing and implementing a late night bus service during the summer holiday season. This project has been commended for its clear identification of the local road safety issue, not only through crash statistics but also through observational surveys and police intelligence. The use of local networks was excellent and it has been very effective in gaining longer term support from the community.
Lismore City, Ballina and Tweed Shire Councils
RRISK Project – Reduce Risk Increase Student Knowledge
This project was developed in response to local statistics which showed that adolescents and young people are over represented in injury and trauma figures, including motor vehicle crashes and a major contributor to adolescent injury is risk taking behaviour. The RRISK program aims to reduce risk taking which is associated with driving, celebrating, drug and alcohol use, in a sustainable way. The program has been running since 1999 and is currently implemented in 26 high schools across the north coast. A key component of the program is a multistrategic seminar day for students, which is followed up by school activities. An independent evaluation of the program was completed in 2005 which showed positive results in students’ knowledge and attitudes after being involved in the RRSIK program. This project has been commended as it is an excellent example of an interagency program which is sustainable. Young people were identified as the target group in need and countermeasures were developed in line with school road safety curriculum. It also had a sound evaluation component.
