General News
9 September, 2024
Value village safety
Motorists reminded to slow down in our small towns
Motorists are being reminded to slow down when passing through some of the smallest towns and villages in western NSW, with a two-week safety blitz planned during September.
Transport for NSW Regional Director West Alistair Lunn said the aim of the safety campaign was to remind motorists that even though villages may be small, speed limits remained in place to protect all road users and pedestrians.
“We have villages and small towns scattered right across the western region, many of them of them on major roads and highways, and they are home to thousands of NSW residents,” Mr Lunn said.
“Unfortunately, though, speeding through villages such as these remains a real safety concern for local communities, particularly children and pedestrians as they go about their daily lives.
“Too many vehicles – and particularly heavy vehicles – either don’t see the signs advising of the lower speed limits as they pass through town or don’t take any notice of them. Issues such as perceived low levels of enforcement and the short distances through small villages can add to the problem, particularly at night.
“Transport for NSW has identified nine villages in the west region to target with a series of ‘slow down’ campaigns.”
The Slow Down In My Town campaign will run from September 16 to 29 and target the villages of Blackheath in the Blue Mountains; Gulgong, Black Springs, Mullion Creek, Geurie and Lucknow in the Central West; Pilliga in the North West; and Tibooburra and Silverton in the Far West of the state.
The campaign will use courtesy speed monitors to display speeds and slow down messages to drivers, distribute bin stickers to retail outlets and target social media messages towards residents and visitors. Transport will also work with local police to increase police presence at these locations.
“This isn’t a speed limit reduction, it’s a targeted campaign to remind and encourage motorists to obey the speed limits in villages,” Mr Lunn said.
“In the five-year period from 2018-2022 there were 1330 casualty crashes involving speed in the west region, tragically resulting in 82 fatalities and 591 serious injuries.
“We really want to highlight the dangers of speeding and ask that motorists consider what they’re risking when they travel over the speed limit – we need to work together to make our roads safe.”
