Leeton Shire Road Safety Action Plan approved

28 Jun 2018 2:22 PM -

Leeton Shire Council approved the Leeton Shire Road Safety Action Plan 2018-2021 at its June Ordinary Council Meeting, with two additional campaigns added.

Council’s Road Safety Officer Stephanie Puntoriero stated in her report to Council that the development of the Leeton Shire Council Road Safety Action Plan is a compulsory requirement by Roads and Maritime Service (RMS) as part of the Road Safety Officer Program.

“Leeton Shire Council has been undertaking these programs in conjunction with the RMS for the last 10 years. Council’s 2018-2021 Road Safety Action Plan is a three year plan that focuses in improving driver behaviour.” 

A comprehensive analysis of existing Council road safety crash and demographic data as compared to Regional and State data has been conducted to provide a clear evidential profile of the crash problems and help identify road safety priorities for Council for the next three years.

Council’s Road Safety Officer has applied for funding in the 2018/19 financial year from Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) for the following projects:

• Speed-Slow Down and Driving to the conditions on Country Road- in line with the RMS “Stop it or Cop it” Campaign offer additional localised advertising during double demerit period, school holiday periods, return to school, use of speed advisory signage.

• Drink Drive- in line with the RMS “Plan B” advertising campaign focus on Breath testing and advertising at local events where alcohol is involved, provide a “Responsible Service of Alcohol” training course at a discounted price for locals between the age of 17-25years old to learn about the dangers of alcohol both short term and long term.

• Child Restraint Checking Days- One morning held annually where a local restraint fitter checks car restraints and offers advice on if the restraint has been correctly fitted or not. This project has been extremely popular in the past.

• Helping Learner Drivers become Safer Drives- A compulsory project that is run twice a year for carers of children who have just received their Learner Driver’s License.

In considering the report, Council determined that two further campaigns were warranted, “Driver Distraction” and “Lights On Campaign” in the 3-year action plan.

Mayor Paul Maytom said that Council’s continued overall support of road safety extends outside this RMS “Road Safety Program” and includes other programs such as the Pedestrian Access Management Plan (PAMP), the RMS “Safer Roads Program” which includes Blackspot funding, Safety around School Program, Rotary Youth Driver Awareness (RYDA) Program and Stepping on Program.

Advocating for enhanced linemarking (including audio tactile linemarking and rumble strips) is also a strong focus for Leeton Shire Council.