Drivers pledge safety

By Esther Lauaki

Last Friday’s fatality-free day campaign put more safe driving pledges on record at Melton.

Council, police and emergency services joined forces with the Lions Club at the Take the Pledge event at Courthouse Amphitheatre, as part of the statewide campaign.

Many locals signed this year’s petition, pledging to spread the road safety message among family and friends and to lead by their own good examples of safe driving.

More than 50,000 road safety pledges have been signed across Australia in the two years’ since the campaign started.

Melton council road safety officer Jan Webb said making safe driving a priority is crucial to curb road fatalities.

“We hope that people will be mindful of themselves and others on the road,” Ms Webb said. “They’re [too often] blindly driving and not being mindful of safety.Road safety is not only something we
should think about one day of the year, but every day.”

Zero deaths on Australian roads was the message behind last Friday’s campaign.

During the day, child seat restraint fitting tutorials were conducted to ensure parents installed car seats correctly and safely into their vehicles. Staughton College music students performed for Melton participants and a free sausage sizzle drew in the crowds.

“Getting these young people involved is important so that in the future they can be good drivers as well,” Ms Webb said.

“I believe we all have a part to play in keeping our friends and families safe.”

Details: Melton council 9747 7200.