Keeping our roads safe for the community is a priority for the City of Swan. That’s why we support and participate in the Western Australian Local Government Association (WALGA) RoadWise Program. This program brings local governments and the community together to actively promote and apply better safety systems on our roads. Take a look at the current initiatives we’ve got going with Swan RoadWise.
The Swan RoadWise Committee is made up of staff and an elected member from the City of Swan and representatives from the WA Police, WALGA RoadWise and various community groups.
We’re currently on the lookout for new community members. If you’d like to become involved in keeping our roads safe, contact us on 9267 9267 and ask about joining our Committee. We meet on the third Thursday of every month.
Current initiatives – the road to success!
With thousands of people using our roads each day, it’s vital that our road safety messages are continually visible and current. No doubt you’ll recognise some of the initiatives we’ve been promoting:
Riding a motorcycle on our roads comes with its own particular risks. Update your skills and improve your knowledge.
Ride Right is a free rider theory enhancement course designed to inform participants of the latest road rules, riding techniques and safety technology.
Email Dave Wright at davmar08@bigpond.com for more information.
Reggie, the famous black swan, may look cute, but his messages are deadly serious. That’s why you’ll find Reggie campaigning for improved driver behaviour and safety throughout the City of Swan.
You’ll see him on posters advertising road rules and tips about mobile phone use when driving, drink driving, child restraint, driving tired and speeding.
View our collection of Reggie's Road Rules posters
It’s always a good idea to have your vehicle and/or trailer checked before taking a trip. Otherwise, your journey could be memorable for all the wrong reasons. And, don’t worry if you’re not sure what to look for – we can do it all for you.
Before the Easter and Christmas periods, the City of Swan holds free safety check days, to ensure your vehicle is mechanically and otherwise safe to make your holiday journey. This is a particularly important aspect if you’re towing a trailer or caravan.
Each year, we find that nearly all vehicles checked require some kind of attention. So, it’s worthwhile taking advantage of our free inspections. Check out our online event calendar for upcoming inspection dates.
Fleet Safety Policy: The City of Swan has implemented a Fleet Safety Policy in terms of vehicle purchasing and safety levels. This Policy stipulates that all sedans and light commercial vehicles purchased must have a minimum 5 star and 4 star ANCAP safety rating, respectively.
ANCAP (Australasian New Car Assessment Program) provides consumers with independent information about the level of vehicle safety in the event of a serious accident. A 5 star rating is the highest that can be awarded.
Speed Display Trailers are one way of encouraging drivers to adhere to the speed limit. And, you’ll see these positioned throughout the City of Swan at problematic locations.These trailers show the speed at which you’re driving and display a warning message to slow down if you’re over the limit.
The City of Swan conducts one day training workshops on safe driving and encourage all staff to attend regardless of how long they’ve been driving.
What better way to advertise road safety messages than with our fleet of vehicles? Since our trucks and work vehicles are continually in the public eye, we’ve revamped them with display murals promoting safe speeds and seatbelt compliance.
The City of Swan participates in road safety events like the annual Blessing of the Roads and the White Ribbon Campaign, to raise awareness within the community of the importance of road safety.
The City of Swan has again joined forces with the East Metropolitan Traffic Police to run the annual “Blow 0.00 and Win” Campaign. This campaign runs over the Easter period and, as the name suggests, is all about responsible alcohol consumption and driving.
If you’re stopped for a random breath test over the holiday break and you blow 0.00, you’ll be given an entry form to go into a prize draw. Six lucky winners will receive either an Olympus digital camera or $50 petrol vouchers.
Vehicles aren’t the only form of transport using the City of Swan’s roads. The City recognises that cyclists are legitimate road users too. So, it’s important that motorists and cyclists have a shared respect for each other and appreciate the right of each to legally use our road system.
However, there are some misconceptions regarding cycling laws, which a lot of people believe to be true. For example, although there are many cycle paths within our boundaries, it’s actually the cyclist’s choice as to whether he/she uses the path. Therefore, they can quite legally use the road as their cycle path.
And, did you know that only children of up to 12 years of age are allowed to cycle on footpaths? Everyone else must use either a designated bike path or the road.
Finally, cyclists are permitted to ride two abreast (ie side by side) on the road. This makes it more vital to allow enough overtaking room when you’re driving. Or, as our road safety message reinforces – A Metre Matters!
The Swan RoadWise Committee is always striving to find innovative ways to educate cyclists and motorists about sharing our roads safely. If you have any ideas, let us know on 9267 9267. In the meantime, why not strap on your helmet and use our map to discover some scenic cycle routes that will take you from Guildford to the Swan Valley?