Sliding behind a car wheel is a daily occurrence for many in Coffs Harbour, and potentially it’s the riskiest thing you’ll do all day.
Most vehicle journeys are uneventful, but when they aren’t the consequences can be life-changing, or deadly.
On Monday 6 May, City of Coffs Harbour will run a special community event to mark National Road Safety Week.
A free morning tea in the North Coast Regional Botanic Garden will be framed by yellow flowers – reflective of the yellow ribbon used to signify the week.
“Sadly just about every one of us have been touched in some way by road tragedy,” City of Coffs Harbour Mayor Cr Paul Amos said.
“This year I will be among the thousands to take ‘The Pledge’ - a statement of commitment to road safety. The opportunity to take The Pledge is extended to all.”
Coffs Mid Coast District Highway Patrol Acting Inspector Jarrod Langan said the awareness week is important to improve driver behaviour.
“National Road Safety Week highlights the tragedy that occurs on our roads day-in, day-out,” Insp Langan said.
“The unfortunate part for us is the vast majority of these injury and fatal crashes are preventable.
“Speeding is over-represented (at Coffs Harbour) however inattention and not concentrating when driving is one of our biggest areas of concern.”
The community and first responders are invited to the morning tea. Members of the Road Trauma Support Group NSW and several road safety experts including NSW Police will be present.
Guests will have the chance to pen the name of a loved one on a tribute plaque in the remembrance garden.
Statistics for our area outline the size of the challenge.
In the most recent five-year period reported (2018-2023) for the Coffs Harbour local government area:
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Speeding was the major crash factor, and at 1.6 times the NSW State average
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70 per cent of crashes occurred in 50 or 60kph zones
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17 lives were lost. 821 were injured.
“This event will be a chance for the community to take stock, and strive to be safer behind the wheel,” City of Coffs Harbour City Infrastructure Director Andrew Beswick said.