Centre for Road Safety Executive Director Bernard Carlon says it’s been five years since setting a target of a 30 per cent reduction in death and serious injuries on the road by 2021.

“The government will hold a series of stakeholder and community forums for ideas to keep us on track towards a goal of zero deaths and serious injuries across the transport system by 2056,” Mr Carlon said.

“The forums are part of Future Transport, Transport for NSW’s strategy for meeting the transport needs of our customers over the next 40 years.

“We’re at the halfway point in our Road Safety Strategy and I think it’s the right time to reassess where we currently stand and where we are headed in the future.

“Last year we had a spike in the road toll with 384 people losing their lives on the state’s roads. And let’s not forget that every year more than 12,000 people are also seriously injured on our roads.

“We all need to join forces to drive down the road toll and that’s why we are calling on the community and stakeholders for their feedback on what actions will be the most effective in reducing the number of crashes on our roads and minimising the impact on people when they do happen.

“We know technology can produce safety benefits, and can bring about new and different ways for us to move around, using roads safely in the future.”

Mr Carlon said while the Road Safety Strategy covers all of NSW, particular attention is being given to regional areas of the state.

“In NSW we have a particular problem on country roads. Last year 254 people lost their lives in the country. That’s two-thirds of our total road toll last year,” Mr Carlon said.

“Whatever transport we plan for regional NSW in the future, we need to make sure it is planned and delivered with safety in mind.

“We are currently investing $253 million to Road Safety in NSW through the Community Road Safety Fund. Through the fund we are upgrading the safety of our roads especially in country areas and funding important road safety programs such as high visibility police operations and school zone flashing lights.”

Wagga Wagga, Dubbo, Wollongong, Parramatta, Sydney and Newcastle have all had a say on our road safety future.

On Wednesday 31 May at the Rainbow Room, C.ex Coffs Harbour at 1 Vernon Street from 5-7pm it will be the Bellingen Shire’s turn.

In addition to these forums, further engagement with the community and businesses on Future Transport will occur during this year.

Stakeholders and community members can register to attend the forums and access the online engagement tools.