World first research needs your help

Parkes Shire Council’s Road Safety and Injury Prevention Officer Melanie Suitor is reminding Parkes residents to take part in a special survey to help researchers understand attitudes toward safe speeds on our roads. The George Institute for Global Health is asking Parkes Shire residents to share their thoughts on driving in an anonymous online survey. The survey is part of a larger road safety project known as Community Action for Safe Speeds (CASS) and can be accessed via https://bit.ly/3SHAwbl. "It is important that we hear from our own community. This survey is part of a bigger research project that is a world first," Ms Suitor said. "Usually, ideas come from the government down to the people. But in this project, we are doing things the other way round - asking the community to generate ideas to improve the safety of our road journeys." Taking place across NSW, the CASS study aims to find innovative ways to reduce speeding-related road trauma. "For many years, governments have attempted to inform people about the risks they face when using the road. "Travelling at inappropriate or unsafe speeds is one of those risks. Safe speeds are all about travelling at a speed that will not create a casualty if things go wrong. "However, it seems that we don’t fully appreciate the risks and consequences involved with driving at speeds that are not appropriate in certain conditions." To participate in the survey you must be aged 18 years or older, be willing to complete two surveys six months apart, live or work in the Parkes Local Government Area, and be able to complete the survey in English. The survey contains questions about demographics and attitudes to road safety issues including speeding in the community. Upon completing both the initial and six-month follow up surveys, participants will enter a draw to win one of four $250 e-gift vouchers. These prizes are provided by The George Institute. Although the survey asks for your name, your responses are not linked to you and will remain anonymous. "This project is a community-led approach to draw on the wisdom and knowledge of local people to be part of the solution in their own community," Ms Suitor added.