THE EXECUTIVE Officer of the Whitsunday Neighbourhood Centre, Cannonvale, is advocating for safer roads, and less deaths, in the region.
Rebecca Woods believes too many people are dying on our roads and is developing a submission to take to the Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR).
Before she can do that, she is seeking the opinions of Whitsunday residents on what they believe are the main contributors to the increase in traffic accidents recently, and what measures they think could improve road safety.
“After three locals lost their lives, in October, I want the people of the Whitsundays to ask themselves ‘what are we doing for road safety?’,” Ms Woods said.
“While I acknowledge that the roads are poor and in need of design improvements – including overtaking lanes, wide centre lane treatments, guardrail installations and the removal of roadside hazards – drivers need to actively contribute to road safety and commit to improving our horror streak.
“But I need feedback about issues and suggestions about what will help us improve.”
Ms Woods said that 94 per cent of people surveyed so far, had reported that they think road safety has worsened in the past year.
“Yes, we know road conditions are a factor but, every day, drivers are taking unnecessary risks, driving distracted or speeding, according to the surveyed responses,” she said.
“I want drivers to ask themselves ‘what are you doing for road safety?’
“Are you driving distracted or speeding? Are you going to do your part in road safety?
“I believe that people are lacking accountability for road safety because it is more convenient to blame the condition of the roads.
“I want to advocate for road safety in our region, and I intend to involve TMR but, at the moment, I am researching for an informed proposal.”
Ms Woods launched her survey to coincide with World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims, which is commemorated on the third Sunday of November, each year.
“I thought World Remembrance Day would be timely to garner some more respondents,” she said.
“World Day of Remembrance for road traffic victims honours the lives lost, along with those seriously injured and those impacted by road trauma.”
According to the World Remembrance Day website, over the past 30 years, more than 44,000 lives have been lost on Australian roads and hundreds of thousands of people have been hospitalised.
To complete the survey, click on the link https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/FMRHXKY
