Zero Heroes: new road safety campaign shows us at our best and worst

THE State Government has launched the first two of five new road safety campaigns aimed at highlighting the best and worst of our road behaviour.

Road Safety Minister Liza Harvey said the campaigns, ‘Zero Heroes’ and ‘Risk Takers’, were developed after extensive research.

“The Zero Hero campaign recognises the 800,000 West Australian motorists who haven’t lost a demerit point in the last three years and seeks to normalise that good driving,” Mrs Harvey said.

“Through Zero Heroes, we want to highlight the vast majority of drivers are doing the right thing and encourage them to influence the driving of those around them – their children, parents, friends and other loved ones.”

The ‘Risk Takers’ campaign does the opposite, highlighting bad habits such as speeding, drink driving and using a mobile phone while driving.

In 2013, 62 risk takers were killed on WA roads.

“Our research shows Risk Takers endorse speeding, don’t see any of these behaviours as a road safety issue and are not motivated by personal injury,” she said.

“However, the research indicates they are motivated by the threat of losing their licence, subsequent loss of freedom and negative social consequences, and our campaign reflects that.”

The Risk Takers campaign documented the story of ‘Nate,’ who has lost his licence and was forced to rely on his mother to drive him around.