National Road Safety Week: A Tribute, A Movement, A Mission

Every year, around 1,300 Australians lose their lives on our roads — and tens of thousands more are seriously injured. Each of these statistics represents a person: a loved one, a friend, a colleague. And while numbers may be easy to glance past, the grief left behind is lasting and deeply personal.

National Road Safety Week (NRSW) is a moment in the calendar dedicated to remembering those we’ve lost — and committing ourselves to change. It is a powerful, week-long campaign that calls attention to the urgent need for safer roads, more responsible driving, and better infrastructure across Australia.

The Tragedy That Sparked a Movement

The origins of NRSW are heartbreakingly personal. In February 2012, 23-year-old Sarah Frazer was on her way to Wagga Wagga to begin university when her car broke down on the Hume Highway, just south of Mittagong.

She pulled over to the breakdown lane — only 1.5 metres wide, half the national standard and dangerously inadequate for modern vehicles. Her car was partially obstructing the roadway where traffic travelled at speeds over 100km/h.

An NRMA patrol officer responded to her call, and a tow truck was dispatched. But while the vehicle was being hitched, a truck — whose driver had been distracted for up to 11 seconds — side-swiped Sarah’s car and struck both her and the tow truck driver, killing them instantly.

While the driver was ultimately found guilty of dangerous driving, investigators determined that the road conditions were also to blame. Had the shoulder met standard width guidelines, Sarah and the tow truck driver would likely have been out of harm’s way.

The Birth of the Yellow Ribbon Symbol

In the days after Sarah’s death, her father, Peter Frazer, tied a yellow ribbon — Sarah’s favourite colour — to his car as a tribute. That simple, heartfelt gesture began a groundswell. Soon, others began doing the same, spurred by a collective grief and the shared desire to prevent such tragedies.

From this grief grew a movement. A petition calling for safer roads drew over 23,000 signatures in just weeks, and the Safer Australian Roads and Highways (SARAH) Group was born.

What began as Yellow Ribbon Week has grown into National Road Safety Week — a nationwide campaign backed by communities, governments, and organisations across the country. The yellow ribbon has become a national symbol of remembrance, resolve, and road safety. It now adorns vehicles, buildings, and emergency services across Australia.

National Road Safety Week 2025: A Call to Action

This year, National Road Safety Week will be observed from 11 to 18 May 2025. It’s a time for all Australians — whether you’re a driver, cyclist, pedestrian, or passenger — to reflect on the responsibility we all share in making our roads safer.

Each day of the week carries a specific focus, from protecting vulnerable road users to highlighting the role of first responders. But the core message remains the same: every road death is preventable.

‘Sarah’s Rule’ and Its Legislative Legacy

Sarah’s tragic story also led to critical legal reforms. In September 2019, ‘Sarah’s Rule’ was passed in NSW. It mandates that:

• If the speed limit is 80km/h or less, drivers must slow to 40km/h when passing stationary emergency vehicles with flashing lights.
• If the speed limit is above 80km/h, drivers must slow to a safe and reasonable speed, give space, and change lanes if safe.

These laws aim to protect roadside workers, first responders, and the public in high-risk environments. Similar laws have since been adopted in Western Australia, Victoria, South Australia, and the ACT, signalling a growing national consensus on road safety.

Driving Change Through Advocacy and Action

National Road Safety Week isn’t just about memory — it’s about meaningful change. Organisations like the NRMA and SARAH Group continue to champion safer roads through:

• Infrastructure advocacy (like the dual-carriageway Pacific Highway)
• Vehicle safety testing through ANCAP
• Public awareness campaigns targeting speeding, substance use, and distraction
• Education programs for drivers of all ages and experience levels

The movement continues to grow, fuelled by the voices of victims’ families, dedicated emergency workers, and everyday Australians who believe in a safer future.

Final Thoughts: Drive Like Every Life Matters

National Road Safety Week stands as a poignant reminder that the road toll isn’t inevitable — it’s preventable. Behind every ribbon, behind every statistic, is a story like Sarah’s. Her legacy, and that of many others, is a call for action.

Let this week not pass as just another campaign, but as a moment of transformation. Slow down. Stay alert. Drive like the lives around you matter — because they do.

Join the movement. Honour the lost. Protect the living.