Pilbara plans for safer roads in 2014
The Pilbara Industry Road Safety Alliance's first meeting of the year last Thursday in Karratha was all about building on the positives of 2013.
A highlight of the event came in the form of WA Road Safety Council chairman Murray Lampard, who came to talk to, and recognise, the efforts of the alliance.
Mr Lampard said 2013 had been a good year for the Pilbara and there was a reduction in fatal crashes which could be due to the vigour and passion of the alliance.
"I'm very much committed to supporting local people making local decisions about their local issues," he said.
"It's not my job to tell them how to run road safety in the Pilbara; it's my job to support them, listen to them and provide opportunities for funding."
He said the mix of industries on board with the alliance was working well with State and local government, and they talked to him about issues they wanted to address this year.
"They talked to me about school crossings, which is a big issue here, and about some of the campaigns they'd like to see running, mostly educative campaigns about the dangers of fatigue, drink-driving, not wearing a seatbelt," he said.
"These are some of the really critical issues for all people in the Pilbara to stay safe on the roads."
Pilbara Crime and Intelligence Co-ordination Unit officer-in-charge acting Senior Sergeant Steve Scott said PIRSA hoped to build on the positive steps from last year such as the purchase of two trailers with crashed cars perched on top of them.
"We're going to sign them all up with road safety messages and we're going to take them around the district with one permanently based in South Hedland and the other one in Karratha," he said.
"They're going to serve as a timely reminder to people to take care on the roads and the tragic consequences which can come about by not doing so."
Acting Sen. Sgt Scott said the trailers would be able to be used by other road safety groups, schools, or organisations that wanted to reinforce the road safety message.
