Source: Mental Health Australia
A powerful display featuring 820 pairs of shoes – each representing a life lost on Australia’s rural roads in 2024 – forms the centrepiece for the launch of this year’s Rural Road Safety Month.
Held at Grafton’s Market Square on Friday 29 August, the launch also featured displays by the SES, NSW Police, NSW Fire Service and Rural Fire Service
Transport for NSW Senior Manager Community and Place Partner for North Coast Brad Crispin said the road safety message is as important as ever.
“The theme of Rural Road Safety Month 2025 is Step Up for Road Safety,” Mr Crispin said.
“We want to encourage all members of the community to step up and do their bit for road safety, both through their behaviour on the roads but also by talking to their friends and family and sharing road safety messages and urging them to step up too.
“While country residents make up about one third of the state’s population, more than two-thirds of the lives lost on NSW roads happen on regional roads.
“The disproportionate death rate is in spite of improvements in vehicle safety technology, road upgrades and consistent messaging to slow down, take regular breaks and drive to the conditions.
“Fatalities on NSW country roads where the speed limit is 80 km/h and above rose by more than 12 per cent in 2024 compared to 2023, with fatigue a key factor.
“Every death is one too many – this was an additional 15 lives lost in just 12 months.
“Today’s event is an open invitation to the Clarence Valley community to join us to reflect on key safety messages and work collaboratively to reduce the road toll.
“This year’s theme is ‘Step Up for Rural Road Safety’ and will feature a display of 820 pairs of shoes, each pair representing a life lost on Australia’s rural roads in 2024.
“This is intended to serve as a confronting reminder of the human cost behind the rural road statistics and as a reminder that road safety is everyone’s responsibility.”
Rural Road Safety Month is an initiative of the Australian Road Safety Foundation and is supported by Transport for NSW.
Mr Crispin said there are lots of ways to get involved.
“We’d love as many local businesses, schools, community groups and individuals as possible to join us to help reduce road trauma in Grafton by hosting, sharing, or taking part in a ‘Step Up for Road Safety’ event during September,” Mr Crispin said.
“Whatever you’d like to do – hosting a morning tea or sharing safety tips with family and friends – anything that gets the message out there can make the difference.
“Encourage people to visit the display as well – it’s a striking visual representation of the loss of life that will really hit home.”
Further information on Rural Road Safety Month is available via the following link – Rural Road Safety Month | Australian Road Safety Foundation.