Close to 100 Clarence Valley residents attended a free community event hosted by Transport for NSW on September 27 in Grafton’s Memorial Park.

Aimed at raising awareness of the importance of road safety following the tragic loss of 10 lives throughout the Clarence Valley this year, the gathering included interactive and educational road safety displays, along with heartfelt testimonials by friends and family members who have been devastated by the loss of a loved one, and first responder accounts from SES personnel and highway patrol officers.

Transport for NSW Senior Manager of Community and Place Partnerships in Grafton, Brad Crispin told the Clarence Valley Independent the event was held in conjunction with Rural Road Safety Month in the Clarence Valley, and said it was great to welcome such a large crowd.

“It’s great to see the community come together to hear and share the message of road safety awareness,” he said.

“We’ve had 10 fatalities in the immediate area this year, and Transport for NSW won’t stop the work we do until we reach zero.

“A road crash, whether it’s a fatality or a serious injury, it impacts a huge amount of people and goes the whole way right through the community.

“The consequences are devastating, and by hosting this event we’re aiming to raise awareness of road safety and reduce the risks such as speeding, drinking and driving, and driving to the conditions to help save lives.”

Mr Crispin said amidst the surge in fatal crashes on Australian roads in 2023, deaths on country roads were disproportionately high.

He revealed country residents make up around 30 percent of the NSW population, but deaths on rural and regional roads make up for about 70 percent of the state’s road toll.

“Country residents have about five times the fatality rate on roads compared with metropolitan residents,” he said.

“That means far too many country residents have lost their mother, father, brother, sister, husband, wife, child, or friend.

“Road toll trauma extends beyond the immediate family to the first responders who attend the scene and to the community who no longer see a familiar face.

“We want to encourage everyone in the Clarence Valley to be safe on our roads.”

Emma Pritchard