Cars lining up for the field days have caused traffic issues for the event for a number of years, which has led to Transport for NSW calling for caution ahead of the event. Photo: Supplied.
Transport for NSW and NSW Police will return to southern NSW’s premier agribusiness event to promote vital road safety messages, with a comprehensive safety display at the Henty Machinery Field Days.
Coinciding with Rural Road Safety Month, the display will feature interactive demonstrations designed to highlight the dangers of unsafe driving behaviours on rural roads, including a Police Highway Patrol car, a random breath testing (RBT) and mobile drug testing (MDT) van, level crossing safety display, and a motorcycle safety display.
Transport for NSW Acting Executive Director Partnerships and Integration South, Brendon James, said rural road safety remained a critical priority for the organisation.
“Country roads present unique challenges for drivers, and we’re committed to working with rural communities to reduce the impact of road trauma,” Mr James said.
“As of 21 September, road crashes have claimed the lives of 265 people in NSW so far this year, including 191 on country roads.
“The Henty Machinery Field Days provides an excellent opportunity to engage directly with the farming community and visitors from across the region about making safer choices on our roads.
“We’ll be demonstrating the real-world impact of speed, the importance of staying alert and drug-free and following the rules at level crossings, and how to safely share the road with heavy vehicles and motorcycles.”
A key feature will be a long-nosed truck with positioning markers to help visitors understand the significant blind spots around heavy vehicles from the driver’s perspective.
Located in the heart of the nation’s food bowl, the Henty Machinery Field Days attracts more than 55,000 visitors annually and is now regarded as southern Australia’s single biggest agricultural event. This year, the event will showcase more than $250 million worth of machinery and technology from exhibitors across the 105-hectare site.
Rural Road Safety Month is an annual initiative of the Australian Road Safety Foundation supported by Transport for NSW. Traffic and Highway Patrol Command’s Acting Inspector Simon Mitchell urged all motorists to avoid dangerous driving and excessive speed on rural roads.
“Speed limits and other road rules will only save lives if we follow them. Let’s make sure that we all watch our own and each other’s behaviour so we can get to our destinations safely,” Acting Inspector Mitchell said.
“About two-thirds of our road fatalities occur on regional roads, and that is unacceptable.
“Police enforce road rules and discourage irresponsible behaviour; however, it is up to everyone to drive according to the conditions, follow the rules and take care on the roads.
NSW Police Traffic and Highway Patrol representatives will be available to answer community questions about road safety.
