Mrs Roberts said the CWA of WA was one of the state’s most respected and trusted organisations and there was immense potential to engage the community, especially throughout regional areas, at a grassroots level on road safety issues.
CWA State President Elaine Johnson said the partnership was an ideal fit for the organisation, which boasts more than 2,200 members across 130 branches throughout Western Australia.
“About 75% of our members reside outside the metropolitan area and the CWA of WA has a strong history of advocating road safety initiatives, particularly in regional areas,” said Mrs Johnson.
“We have successfully championed mandating seatbelts, for improving rail crossing signage and adding white lines to regional roads. By partnering with the Road Safety Commission, we can work together to promote road safety initiatives to help keep our regional and metropolitan communities safe.”
Mrs Johnson said the CWA of WA was keen to see initiatives to ensure international visitors kept to the left side of the road, particularly on transport routes, and continued progress to improve passing lanes on regional highways.
Mrs Johnson said the CWA of WA already had a strong digital presence and would work to provide regular online updates, plus via newsletters, social media and its quarterly magazine Countrywoman.
“We’re looking forward to working with the Commission to share practical information with our membership, so they can advocate for safer roads. Our members are strong women who care about our country and make a significant impact on their communities,” she said.
Newly appointed Road Safety Commissioner Adrian Warner said that every year on our regional roads a disproportionate number of people were killed and seriously injured due to crashes.
“This is a terrible trauma for not only families and friends of those killed and injured but for the entire community,” he said.
“This partnership offers a great opportunity to promote ideas and projects to help make the state’s roads safer, especially in country areas.
“The Commission looks forward to a very productive relationship with the CWA of WA, working across many road safety initiatives that will have significant reach within the broader community.
“Obviously we’re cognisant of COVID-19 restrictions and requirements at the moment but there’s still plenty of opportunity, through social and digital media and other means of communication, to deliver powerful messages about road safety,” said Mr Warner.
