ComfortDelGro Corporation Australia (CDC) bus drivers are pledging “to drive so others survive” to mark National Road Safety Week (NRSW), 16-23 May, 2021.

Employees from CDC’s operations across Regional NSW, ACT, Queensland, Northern Territory have bandied together, joining close to 40,000 Australians who have recited the pledge to date:

“I pledge to drive as if my loved ones are on the road ahead. I will remove all distractions and never use my mobile phone while driving. I will not put other people at risk by speeding, driving while tired or under the influence of alcohol/drugs. I will protect all vulnerable road users, especially those whose job places them in harm’s way, by slowing down and giving them the space they need to be safe.”

National Road Safety Week is an annual initiative from the Safer Australian Roads and Highways (SARAH) Group in partnership with road safety organisations and government to highlight the impact of road trauma and ways to reduce it.

In the last two years, more than 36,000 Australian drivers have made this pledge and SARAH President Peter Frazer, who founded the non-for-profit after his daughter’s death in 2012, hopes that many more will do so during this year’s campaign.

“Our ‘Drive So Others Survive!’ theme asks everyone on the road to monitor their own behaviours and ensure the safety of all people on the road ahead, especially vulnerable road users,” he said.

“So, we are asking the Australian community to step up and become ‘Road Safety Warriors’ who not only make the safety of others their priority but also their influence their family, friends and work colleagues to do the same”.

Peter thanked partners, supporters, and every organisation - like CDC - that gets behind the campaign because “like us, they recognise that everyone has a right to get home safe to their loved ones, every day, with no exceptions.”

“It is incredible to see such commitment to driving change to make our roads safe.”

ComfortDelGro Australia (CDC) Regional Australia Division Chief Executive Officer, Tony Hopkins said drivers and other employees across CDC’s vast regional operations will continue to make the pledge during National Road Safety Week.

“Employees from across our unique businesses in unique locations are taking the pledge, such as Qcity Transit and Transborder Express in southern NSW/ACT, Forest Coach Lines and Blanch’s Bus Company in northern NSW, CDC Gladstone and Sunshine Coast in Queensland, and Buslink NT teams in Darwin, Humpty Doo, Jabiru and Alice Springs.

“Many employees are going the extra mile by wearing yellow ribbons to show their support, and arranging barbecues and coffee mornings including guest speakers.

“Our Qcity Transit and Transborder Express team will be encouraging the community to ‘drive so others survive’, as part of Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council’s road safety pop-up stall at Riverside Plaza in Queanbeyan on Thursday 20 May (9am-1pm).

“Road safety is a crucial part of our industry – it is the number one priority within our company. I’m proud of the way our drivers are showing solidarity in communicating this important message.

“We encourage all road users to take heed of National Road Safety Week’s important messages of slow down, look for road signs, take notice of speed limits, and take extra care at dawn and dusk,” Mr Hopkins said.

This year’s National Road Safety Week coincides with, and forms part of, the United Nations Global Road Safety Week, running from 17 to 23 May 2021.