Some of the state’s youngest football fans have been drafted to encourage motorists to slow down, as part of the NSW Government’s Towards Zero partnership with A-League stars, the Western Sydney Wanderers.
Some of the state’s youngest football fans have been drafted to encourage motorists to slow down, as part of the NSW Government’s Towards Zero partnership with A-League stars, the Western Sydney Wanderers.
Minister for Roads, Maritime and Freight Melinda Pavey, joined Minister for Sport Stuart Ayres and Western Sydney Wanderers CEO John Tsatsimas to announce the new initiative following a sharp increase in the state’s road toll over the past few weeks.
Mrs Pavey said despite our continued efforts to slow people down too many motorists are still putting their own lives and the lives of others at risk.
“Speeding remains the leading cause of deaths and serious injuries on NSW roads. Already this year, 144 people have been killed in crashes because someone was driving too fast and a further 384 were seriously injured in the first three months of 2017,” said Mrs Pavey.
“Every one of us needs to take responsibility for the speed at which we travel when getting behind the wheel. With the help of the Western Sydney Wanderers, we are working towards bringing the Slow Down message closer to home.
“Country people that make up one third of our population represent two thirds of our road toll, and that is devastating.”
Mr Ayres said the NSW Government was proud to continue its partnership with the Western Sydney Wanderers on this life-saving speeding campaign.
“Road trauma is having long-lasting effects across the state including parts of Western Sydney,” Mr Ayres said.
“Drivers need to consider everyone around them before getting behind the wheel of a vehicle.
“Anything we can do to stop dangerous behaviour on our roads would help to bring the road toll closer Towards Zero.”
Western Sydney Wanderers CEO John Tsatsimas said the club had a long history with spreading road safety messages both in Western Sydney and across the state.
“Our players have championed road safety in the community, heard stories from road trauma survivors and now stand with our young fans and their families to drum home the importance of road safety,” Mr Tsatsimas said.
“Wanderers fans are extremely passionate when it comes to our beloved chant ‘Who do we sing for’ – we now need them to channel that passion into slowing down on our roads.”
The road safety partnership with the Western Sydney Wanderers supports the NSW Government’s vision of a future free of road trauma and the ultimate goal of zero deaths and serious injuries on our roads.
