“ROAD SAFETY is not something to take for granted”.
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It is the message continually put out there, but are residents taking note?
Leeton Shire Council has received the 2017 verified data from Transport for NSW regarding road crashes in the shire.
Council’s road safety officer Stephanie Puntoriero said in 2017 there were 27 crashes attended by police in the shire.
Eighty-five per cent of these crashes resulted in injuries to the vehicle occupants or riders.
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In 2017 three crashes resulted in four lives being lost on the shires roads, for the first time since 2014.
“In 2017 we observed a high level of fatigue related crashes – drivers need to be mindful of not driving when tired, under the influence of alcohol or medication,” Mrs Puntoriero said.
“We have also seen changes relating to when the crashes are happening.
“The most prevalent times being Monday to Friday from 9am to 3pm.
“Previously, crashes in the shire occurred at weekends during the evening and early morning.”
While the number of crashes in the 17 to 25 year-old group dropped to around 15 per cent of people involved in a crash, there was a spike in the number of 25 to 39 year-olds involved in a crash.
Twenty-three per cent of drivers who crashed on roads in Leeton shire last year were registered as P-platers.
Speed is still the major factor in crashes across Leeton shire, with 37 per cent of crashes occurring on a 100km/h road.
“There is no excuse for this type of behaviour,” Mrs Puntoriero said.
“When people ignore or disregard road safety, they put their lives and the lives of others at risk.”
Mrs Puntoriero would like to remind people to not become complacent, especially as summer weather starts.
She said it was important to plan trips and be responsible on the road to keep everyone safe.
With drought conditions continuing, drivers should also be cautious of extra wildlife on the road, especially at dawn and dusk.
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