New campaign set to target the devils on local roads and improve urban road safety
The deadly sins of Dubbo drivers are the focus of a new road safety campaign, with speed labelled as the key contributing factor in urban crashes in the City.
Launched by Dubbo City Council this week, the ‘Deadly Sins of Driving in Dubbo’ campaign will address the poor driving habits of local motorists which include impatience, ignorance and distraction.
Council’s Road Safety Officer Kristine Long said the campaign, which would run until December, aimed to build on the success of the 2007/2008 Seven Deadly Sins urban crash project.
“Deadly Sins will address speed as a key urban issue, urging drivers to slow down,“ Ms Long said.
“Speed is a major contributor to Dubbo's most common car accidents - rear end and intersection crashes.”
Ms Long said poor behaviour, ignorance of the current road rules, distraction, impatience and poor driving skills were also contributing factors to crashes in the City.
“19.5 per cent of Dubbo’s urban accidents are rear end crashes while 17.6 per cent of crashes occur at intersections.”
Ms Long said the campaign targeted both male and female drivers in the age groups of 17-20, 30-39 and 40-49, who were most ‘at risk’ of crashing. She said most crashes occur during peak times on weekdays and at 8am and between 2 and 7pm on Thursdays and Fridays. In 2007, men were involved in 62 per cent of all Dubbo crashes and women 35 per cent.
THE FACTS
Between 2003 and 2007:
- 71 per cent of drivers involved in crashes were locals
- 43.3 per cent of crashes in Dubbo occurred at intersections
- 72 per cent of crashes occurred in 50kmh and 60kmh zones
- 13 per cent of all crashes in Dubbo noted speeding as a contributing factor
- In 2007 alone, there were 28 crashes resulting in 29 casualties; mostly serious injuries
MEDIA CONTACT: For further information, please contact Council’s Road Safety Officer Kristine Long on (02) 6801 4931 or 0417 667 984.