Timely reminder for safe driving this long weekend
The upcoming Queen's Birthday long weekend marks the start of the ski and snowboarding season in NSW and Victoria.
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While the prospect of getting out on to the slopes is exciting, this is traditionally a dangerous weekend on the roads with people in a hurry to get to the ski fields so they can get the most out of their long weekend and young people keen to get behind the wheel and experience independence.
Australia’s leading youth road safety educator, Road Safety Education Ltd (RSE) is calling on drivers to set an example this long weekend, by driving responsibly and safely.
Road Safety Education Limited is a not for profit organisation, which educates high school students through its highly acclaimed RYDA program.
“RYDA provides powerful workshops to change the way young people think about road safety including the impact of speeding” said Greg Rappo, RSE Program Director.
“Speeding is unquestionably recognised as a major contributing factor to the number and severity of traffic crashes”
When a vehicle’s speed increases, it impacts on the drivers reaction time to a hazard and the need to adequately judge the distance required to stop.
“The average time it takes for most drivers to react to a risky situation on the road is 1.5 seconds.
“A fatigued or distracted driver (i.e. using a mobile phone) may take as long as three critical seconds to react” said Mr Rappo.
Travelling at lower speeds improves a driver's ability to stop and avoid crashes.
With a long weekend approaching, more drivers will be out and about on country roads and many young people will be driving in unpredictable weather conditions, such as icy roads, for the first time.
A few tips to keep the weekend driving safe: Have a good night’s sleep beforehand
Take your time getting to your destination even if it means leaving for your journey a little earlier
Take a break when driving, no matter how far you are travelling. Remain cautious and alert
RSE has strong corporate support from BOC, Toyota Australia, Bosch and Bridgestone, along with Rotary Clubs, whose volunteers co-ordinate the RYDA program in their local area.
To date half a million senior high school students have undertaken the RYDA program, which is the only national road safety education program for youth. It is conducted at over 70 venues in Australia.
“Early road safety education is paramount to the reduction of road crash deaths,” said Mr Rappo.
Greg Rappo, RSE Program Director
Irrigators study important step
The National Irrigators Council (NIC) says, meeting the promise that there would be no negative community impact is critical, if the so called ‘up-water’ component of the Basin Plan is to be delivered, making the recent release by the Deputy Prime Minister of terms of reference for an independent study, an important step.
When then Prime Minister Gillard joined then Minister Burke to announce a plan that included provision for an additional 450GL in so called ‘up-water’ efficiency savings, their statement was very clear. The water could only be delivered to the environment if it had a beneficial, or at least no negative, community impact.
“Unfortunately, when the plan was actually put in place the test became whether or not an individual is willing to accept funding – a single property test. Very clearly that is not a test of impact on neighbours, on the viability of irrigation systems or on jobs and the welfare of the broader local community.
Steve Whan, Chief Executive Office.