Stephen Buckley

Landmarks around the country will be lit yellow in remembrance and to raise awareness of National Road Safety Week (14-21 May 2023).

We encourage you to wear a yellow ribbon to show your support.

The pledge is an initiative of National Road Safety Week (14-21 May 2023).

Pledging means you will drive as if your loved ones are on the road ahead, driving to protect vulnerable people travelling or working on our roadside, not putting others at risk by speeding, driving while tired or under the influence of alcohol/drugs, and never using a mobile phone while driving.

So, take the pledge and make every journey safe.

Getting a licence as a young person comes with great freedom, excitement, and responsibility.

Statistics show that when a learner driver first gets their P-plates, their risk of a serious crash is six times higher.

With parents being the biggest influence on how young drivers behave on the road, staying involved helps keep your P-plater safe.

Let them know you'll still be in the passenger seat from time to time, and always model good driving behaviour if you're behind the wheel.

Check out some other tips here.

A little courtesy on the road goes a long way to improving safety.

Whether you’re on two wheels, four wheels, or more, or on two legs - we are all responsible for keeping each other and ourselves safe on the road.

Basic actions such as letting others merge, leaving safe distances around trucks and cyclists, being aware of blind spots, and watching out for bicycle riders, motorcyclists, personal mobility device users, and pedestrians, have a big impact on everyone's safety.

For more information on giving way, refreshing your road rules, avoiding tailgating, and sharing the road, please visit here.

Make safety a top priority when purchasing a car.

You want the safest model you can afford, so if a car scores less than four stars (out of five stars), don’t take the risk.

Search for a safe car here within your budget, by price range or make and model, to compare each vehicle’s safety ratings – either by its Used Car Safety Rating (UCSR) or Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP).

Or if you ride a motorcycle, make sure you choose the right gear for your ride, and check out the motorcyclist's maintenance guide and rider’s guide here.

Emergency response workers put their lives at risk every day when working in roadside environments.

To keep them safe, laws require motorists to move over and slow down when passing a stationary emergency response vehicle displaying blue, red, magenta, or yellow flashing lights.

The penalty for not moving over and slowing down in Queensland is $431 and 3 demerit points.

So please drive safely so everyone can get home safely.

As pedestrians, we're especially vulnerable to injury.

Unlike people in vehicles, we’re not protected by seat belts, airbags, and metal.

It’s important to be aware of traffic and surroundings, and to never assume a driver or rider has seen you.

If you're walking (or wheeling) on pathways, please pay attention near roads.

Stay alert (wearing headphones can reduce your awareness of what’s happening around you), use designated crossings, and if you've been drinking alcohol, plan a way home and take care near the road.

If you're driving, please give way to pedestrians entering crossings.

In shared zones or slip lanes, reduce your speed at night around entertainment venues, be careful in areas with children (schools and playgrounds), and allow more time for a person with a disability or senior pedestrian to cross the road.

We've also got tips for teaching children to become safe pedestrians too.

Tell us how you share the path with others?

Today's National Road Safety Week (14-21 May 2023) theme is: Take care on regional roads.

So next time you're driving on a regional road, remember to slow down and drive to the conditions.

Share the road, buckle up for every trip, and make sure your passengers do too, and never drive tired or when you've been drinking.

Check out our other tips for driving on regional roads.