East Gippsland Local News: Key messages in road safety signs

Cr Keith Smyth (East Gippsland Shire), Terry Lamshed (East Gippsland Shire Community Safety Officer), Heather Morrison (VicRoads/RoadSafe), and Andrew Howe and Scott Grambau (3TR FM local reps.)

As many as 30 per cent of all road fatalities and serious crashes are attributed to some extent to fatigue

By Kevin Hennessy - 13th January 2003 - Back to News

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RoadSafe East Gippsland, East Gippsland Shire Council and Radio 3TR FM have combined to tackle the issue of road safety, with three large signs recently erected around Bairnsdale and Lakes Entrance.

The road safety signage was an initiative of RoadSafe East Gippsland and locations with high traffic volumes and good visibility were chosen by Heather Morrison (VicRoads) and Terry Lamshed (East Gippsland Shire).

"As many as 30 per cent of all road fatalities and serious crashes are attributed to some extent to fatigue and this figure is even higher in the East Gippsland region," Heather said.

"All drivers should have a break from driving every two hours. They should also take a 15 minute powernap if feeling fatigued or drowsy.

"Fatigue is an elusive problem that the RoadSafe committee has identified as a priority to address.

"RoadSafe came up with the idea of giving the travelling public a friendly reminder about taking a break by putting fatigue and road safety related messages on signs.

"RoadSafe approached the East Gippsland Shire and Radio 3TR FM for support and both have assisted by way of donating and erecting the signs," Heather said.

East Gippsland Shire Community Safety Officer, Terry Lamshed, said the signs are an excellent example of how businesses and agencies can work together to tackle an issue important to the community.

"It's crucial that we keep sending clear messages to motorists on the importance of road safety, particularly at this holiday time of the year when more vehicles are on our roads.

"RoadSafe is to be congratulated on initiating the signage project and East Gippsland Shire is only too pleased to be able to support this initiative, to assist drivers in our region arriving at their destination safely," Terry said.

The road signs have been erected at the following sites: