WHYALLA AND DISTRICTS COMMUNITY ROAD SAFETY GROUP

The Hon. B.V. FINNIGAN (14:53): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Road Safety a question regarding the forum hosted by the Whyalla and Districts Community Road Safety Group.

Leave granted.

The Hon. B.V. FINNIGAN: There are 32 community road safety groups in South Australia, and they all undertake vital work with the aim of minimising road trauma on the state's roads. Will the minister explain some of the recent activity undertaken by the Whyalla and Districts Community Road Safety Group?

The Hon. CARMEL ZOLLO (Minister for Emergency Services, Minister for Correctional Services, Minister for Road Safety, Minister Assisting the Minister for Multicultural Affairs) (14:53): I thank the honourable member for his important question. Sadly, some 60 per cent of road deaths in South Australia occur in rural areas, and on average more than two-thirds are rural residents. If there is any upside to this it is the way rural communities have come together to tackle road trauma. There are 32 highly dedicated community road safety groups in our state comprising around 450 volunteers. I am continually impressed by the innovative road safety projects they undertake using their local knowledge to find ways to get the message through to their communities. The Whyalla Community Road Safety Group is no exception and recently organised a regional forum aimed at uniting country drivers and other road users from across the state. I was delighted to speak at the event and to have a chance to address a forum comprising people who strive to make a difference in their own society.

Along with the Whyalla Mayor, Jim Pollock, I welcomed guests from Lower Eyre Peninsula, the Riverland, Cleve, Salisbury, Eudunda and Districts Community Road Safety Group, Clare and Gilbert Valley, Roxby Downs and Whyalla. There were also representatives from South Australia Police and the Centre for Automotive Safety Research. The day included presentation of some projects undertaken by road safety groups.

For instance, Michael Eades from the Northern Areas Road Safety Committee spoke about the introduction of the 'Home Alive' program. Sponsored by the Motor Accident Commission, this program has provided transport from licensed premises in Laura and Gladstone on Friday and Saturday nights. These communities do not have access to public transport or taxis and are at risk from the temptation to drink and drive. Trevor Marshall from the Riverland Community Road Safety Group spoke about a car trailer the group uses to display a car wreck at Driver Reviver sites in the Riverland. The group has also developed a partnership with Glossop High School media studies students and, as a result, the students have now produced a DVD about road safety.

Joel Taggart from the Salisbury Community Road Safety Group spoke about his selection to attend the World Youth Assembly for Road Safety in Geneva. Joel said that the assembly developed a Youth Declaration for Road Safety that would be ratified and passed by the United Nations this year. The declaration will then be promoted to the youth of Australia to help them develop a higher awareness of road safety.

The forum provided our community road safety groups with the opportunity to meet face to face and share new and potentially life-saving ideas. The contribution all these groups make to improving road safety in South Australia is vitally important, and it is certainly highly valued. They have my heartfelt thanks.