Not too late to have say at RAC road safety forum on fatigue

Geraldton residents will today be asked to offer solutions to help eradicate road trauma caused by driver fatigue.

The RAC Community Road Safety Challenge involve teams, with the help of industry mentors, develop and test concepts aimed at preventing deaths and serious injuries on Australian roads.

The judges’ choice for the best idea will win a $2000 prize, while the “community choice” will win a $500 RAC Parks and Resorts voucher. Nearly 100 people have signed up, but the RAC is encouraging more to do so.

“This is an important opportunity for the community to come together to learn about and tackle the silent killer that is fatigue,” RAC spokesman Rhys Heron said.

“Over the last five years, more than 20 per cent of fatalities in WA have been fatigue related, with most of these occurring in regional areas.

“Last year, 15 people died in fatigue-related crashes on WA roads.

“The reaction time of a driver who has been awake for 17 to 19 hours is similar to a driver with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.05.”

The Road Safety Challenge will be held at the Geraldton Multipurpose Centre today and tomorrow.

Visit rac.com.au/about-rac/community-programs/ to register.

Meanwhile, Geraldton’s three Rotary clubs held a driver education program for Year 10 and 11 students last week. Six presenters, including the survivor of a high-speed crash, delivered messages on the importance of paying attention and being responsible when behind the wheel.

Students also learnt from props — including an ambulance, road train and motorbike — set up to demonstrate specific scenarios.