Police are asking motorists on NSW roads to show caution as the road toll takes an unfortunate increase over the past few weeks.
Minister for Roads and Freight Duncan Gay has described the recent events as heartbreaking. Including the first week of February, the road toll stands at 48 for NSW.
“We’re just over a month into the year and sadly many families across our state are grieving the loss of loved ones,” said Mr Gay in a recent release.
Not driving while fatigued may seem like a no-brainer, but the New South Wales government is still concerned about the number of people who are threatening safety on the state’s roads by driving whilst fatigued and drowsy. According to Transport for New South Wales, fatigue is one of the main causes of road fatality, with research suggesting it is just as dangerous as drink driving.
The New South Wales Government has just had its 20,000th young learner driver sign up for the Safer Drivers Course, meaning good news for all those on state roads.
The course was a project developed with consideration of the latest research by an independent road safety board, making it specially designed to aid young drivers. The aim of the Safe Drivers Course is to equip learners with the skills and knowledge to better prepare them for when they graduate to their P-Plates.
Road safety has definitely been a point of contention in recent years so it is positive to report the substantial improvement over the last 12 months in particular.
The road toll statistics were recently released by Transport NSW and highlight a strong decrease in the number of deaths across the state. However, although authorities are buoyed by the figures, there are still several areas that can be targeted in the new year.
People have different reasons for choosing the colour of their car. But when it comes to safety, does the colour of your car make a difference?
According to a Monash University study, there is a direct link between the colour of the car you drive and the risk of having a crash. Why is this?
The simple fact is that white is the most highly visible colour, especially when viewed against the dark road surface. So it is deemed to be the safest colour – not red, not yellow.
As another school year begins, drivers need to be increasingly vigilant of young children on the road. Whether around school zones or neighbourhoods where kids may be walking home, keep an eye out for school kids no matter how slow you’re driving.
As schools return throughout New South Wales, police are reminding motorists to slow down to 40km/h in designated school zones. This speed reduction applies from 8am to 9.30am and again as the school day ends between 2.30pm and 4pm.
You might feel that stepping into your car and heading out into the traffic is taking your life in your hands. The media constantly reminds us of ‘road rage’, while others drive dangerously due to drugs or alcohol – or just plain stupidity, it seems. So what about whether you drive an automatic or a manual?
While studies show that young drivers are at the most risk of accidents, not much has been mentioned about the kind of transmission their car has, or if it plays a part in accidents.
For those who don’t want a 4WD with a bull-bar to help ensure their safety in an accident, let’s think about the ordinary family sedan….. manual or automatic transmission. Is one really safer than the other?
Repeat drink driving offenders will find themselves faced with an additional hurdle before they start their engines from next month.
From February 1, NSW courts will introduce mandatory alcohol interlocks which will require drivers to pass an integrated breathalyser test before driving.
It’s not the way police wanted to start the year.
The New South Wales Police Force has issued a public plea for caution on the state’s roads after the weekend’s seven fatal crashes.
In the short period from New Year’s Day up to January 19, NSW Police have reported 21 fatalities on the road. The majority have been due to car crashes, with 11 of the drivers killed, as well as two passengers and seven motorcyclists. A pedestrian has also been identified as one of the casualties so far.
There is no doubt that the Australian automotive industry had a rough 2014. From difficult market conditions to lower consumer confidence, some insiders had written off the year even before its halfway mark.
However, according to statistics released on January 6 by the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI), more than 1.1 million new vehicles were sold in 2014 – just the third time that this has occurred in Australia.
In fact, 1,113,224 new vehicles were bought by both consumers, businesses and governments, making 2014 one of the more positive years in recent times.
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