The shockwaves of road crash trauma are often felt throughout the community, but a local organisation is continually working to educate users on road safety and reduce these incidents.
The Road Accident Action Group (RAAG) has been operating throughout the Mackay, Isaac, Whitsunday and Central Highlands regions for the last 21 years, completing many successful projects and programs to reduce road incidents and fatalities.
Last year, those regions saw a combined 25 fatal crashes, 512 injury crashes and 266 non-injury crashes, and RAAG Chair Viv Coleman said the not-for-profit is working to reduce these numbers.
“We get together with industry and community, industry being absolutely any industry at all with which we can have a partnership, to promote good, safe practices for driving,” she said.
“With the amount of accidents we’ve been having on our roads in the last few months, it highlights the extreme importance, and we really need to escalate that.”
Meeting once a month at the Resources Centre of Excellence in Paget, RAAG implements a variety of projects and campaigns spearheaded by a passionate team of volunteers and organisations.
Collaborating with the Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR), RAAG has successfully advocated for and played an instrumental role in a variety of projects throughout the region, including the Walkerston Bypass and the Eton Range, as well as an increase and upgrade of rest areas.
RAAG also presents its road safety education program to organisations throughout the Mackay and Bowen Basin regions, focussing on specific road safety issues relevant to our region including wide loads, fatigue management, distracted driving, stock on roads and more.
Advertising and education campaigns focussing on these issues have been spread throughout the region and the eastern seaboard.
The organisation’s work also addresses other road users including walkers, runners and bike riders, with their Work Out Visibly safety initiative spreading the message of “Be Seen, Be Safe” to those exercising on or near roads.
RAAG can be seen spreading this message throughout the community at events including Parkrun and Emergency Services Day.
“RAAG is in the community,” said Ms Coleman.
“We are a volunteer group and we’re always looking for additional people.”
To find out more about volunteering and sponsorship, visit raag.com.au.
RAAG is a volunteer organisation promoting safe road use. Photo supplied
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