An initiative of WALGA’s RoadWise Program has been recognised for its ability and effort to improve road safety in the Kimberley community.

The Horns and Hooves on the Highway campaign launched by Kimberley RoadWise Committees together with Main Roads WA took out the Insurance Commission of Western Australia’s Regional Safety Award.

The award forms part of the WA Regional Achievement and Community Awards, which pay tribute to individuals, communities, businesses and groups who are making a significant contribution to regional and rural areas.

WALGA President Cr Lynne Craigie congratulated the RoadWise Committees of Kimberley and their campaign partners on the achievement.

“This win reinforces the significance of local campaigns in contributing to community safety in the regions,” she said.

“Straying livestock is a major road safety issue and not just in the Kimberley - across the State in 2013 there were 17 serious crashes involving hitting an animal in WA, with one fatality occurring in the Kimberley region[1].

“The Horns and Hooves on the Highway campaign educates road users and raises awareness of the risk of straying cattle.”

Cr Craigie said the campaign included support for investment in safer roads treatments including, fencing, gates and grids and the investigation of possible speed limit reductions in known high-risk areas. Behavioural change recommendations included avoiding travelling at high risk times such as dawn and dusk (when cattle and wildlife are more active) and when driving at night, slowing down and always driving within the visibility of your headlights.

Cr Craigie said the success of the campaign was enhanced by the contributions of the community road safety network.

“Community road safety initiatives are most impactful when the community themselves drive their conception and implementation,” she said.

“It’s great to see recognition for their commitment to impacting their local communities in a positive way and I congratulate the Committees and their campaign partners on their achievement.”

Cr Craigie congratulated other Regional Safety Category semi-finalists delivering road safety initiatives including: Katanning RoadWise, Shire of Collie, Shire of Dardanup RoadWise Committee, Toodyay RoadWise Committee and St Mary’s College Broome.

For more information on the winning campaign and other road safety initiatives, go to www.roadwise.asn.au.