Community Road Safety groups have developed as part of an initiative that values local knowledge, expertise and concern for safer roads and road users in regional areas of South Australia. Since its inception in 1999, 35 groups have commenced. Their influence on road safety through local projects and activities and involvement of local community organisations is revealing great energy and strong commitment in making our roads safer, for us all.

Community Road Safety

There are 35 community road safety groups in South Australia. The State aims to increase the number of these groups so that community road safety becomes a major focus throughout the State. Past activities and projects of community road safety groups involvement.

Government assistance

Department for Transport, Energy and Infrastructure provides a Community Road Safety Coordinator and community road safety officers to promote and encourage the formation of community road safety groups throughout South Australia.
They offer:

• support
• advice
• assistance in setting priorities
• an avenue for interaction and distribution of information between road safety committees.

They can assist in bringing together key stakeholders such as the Department for Transport, Energy and Infrastructure (DTEI), ambulance, emergency services, South Australia Police and local government.

They can also assist in setting up groups - either by organising public meetings or speaking to Council or others about community road safety.

Annual funding is available to each community road safety group from the Government. This funding is only applicable to community road safety groups.

Role of Councils in Community Road Safety:

• support the concept of community road safety
• provide a liaison with the group
• provide some administrative support for the group if needed.

Process for forming a new Community Road Safety Group

• A group with an interest in road safety approaches DTEI to be involved as a registered community road safety group.
  or
• The Community Road Safety Coordinator contacts councils and asks them to consider starting up a community road safety group in their area.
• A public meeting is held and a member of DTEI’s Community Road Safety team attends to gauge if there is enough interest.
• Issues are fully explored at the meeting and all queries answered.
• If there is enough interest a group is formed and a date set for the next meeting.
• A committee is formed with office bearers and incorporation.
• The group sets about identifying priorities and activities. The importance of utilising education strategies at the local level and the need to set realistic goals is emphasised.

Activities

Community education activities undertaken by Community Road Safety Groups:

• submit articles, advertisements, letters to local newspapers, school newsletters, community groups
• give interviews to radio and television stations about local road safety issues
• provide public displays
• organise public presentations
• talk to the target groups at their venues
• prepare pamphlets and other handouts such as stickers, fridge magnets
• organise strategic plans to inform their projects
• contribute to knowledge about local black spots
• provide free buses for special festivities
• run Driver Reviver programs
• support the teaching of road safety in local schools
• support programs such as See and Be Seen
• support higher levels of police enforcement
• support ‘Designated Driver’ programs
• organise mock crash displays
• support South Australia Police in presentations to sports clubs and schools
• address road safety issues for motorcyclists, cyclists, pedestrians, gopher riders, school bus safety
• provide roadside road safety messages in the local area
• install roadside crash markers in the local area
• organise mobile displays using caravans and trailers
• organise education sessions for users of motorised scooters
• support the Driver Intervention Program.

In addition, groups may identify local road safety issues of concern and inform Local Councils or DTEI.

Contact

If you are interested in forming a group or have any other enquiries about community road safety, please contact The Coordinator, Community Road Safety.