MEDIA RELEASE
For Immediate Release — Friday 15 May 2026
Authorised by Anthony O’Reilly
2026 National Road Safety Week in the Hilltops
National Road Safety Week 2026 will be observed across Australia from 17–24 May, with Hilltops Council joining Transport for NSW and local road safety partners to promote safer driving behaviour under the pledge: *”Drive so others survive.”*
The annual campaign aims to reduce road trauma by encouraging all road users to take personal responsibility behind the wheel. The initiative is led nationally by the Safer Australian Roads and Highways (SARAH) Group and supported by Transport for NSW (TfNSW), local councils and emergency services.
Council’s Road Safety Officer, Sean Herrett, said the week provides a critical reminder that every decision on the road can have life-changing consequences.
“Road safety is not just a policy message — it’s a personal responsibility,” he said. “Every driver, rider and pedestrian plays a part in making sure everyone gets home safely. The pledge ‘Drive so others survive’ is about recognising that responsibility every time we start the engine.”
Each day of National Road Safety Week focuses on a different theme, including speeding, distraction, vulnerable road users, fatigue, and regional road safety, highlighting the shared responsibility across communities.
TfNSW continues to emphasise that safer behaviour is essential to reversing road trauma trends across regional NSW, where a significant proportion of serious crashes continue to occur.
While final confirmed figures for 2026 are still being compiled, preliminary comparisons show road fatalities across participating regional council areas remain broadly consistent with 2025 levels, underscoring the need for continued vigilance and education.
Hilltops Council will participate with local awareness campaigns throughout the week.
National Road Safety Week also serves as a reminder of the broader human impact of road crashes on families, first responders, and regional communities, reinforcing the message that road safety is everyone’s responsibility.
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Media enquiries — Hilltops Council 1300 445 586