Year 10 PD/H/PE “Let’s Drive” Assessment Task
Charlotte Mansfield
2 Ardua Place Engadine 2233 NSW
02 9520 1237
Roads and Traffic Authority
RTA_Contact_Centre@rta.nsw.gov.au
RE: Actions to improve the major hazards facing drivers on our roads today
Dear Sir/Madam,
The major hazards that face today’s road users are many and the consequences of falling victim to
one such hazard can be severe. My concern for the safety of our drivers has prompted me to write
to you today. I would like to discuss some of the main dangers that lurk on our streets, as well as
propose health promoting actions that, if implemented, would improve the problems on our roads.
The first area of concern I would like to draw your attention to is the insufficient infrastructure
available for drivers to utilise. Our world is expanding rapidly and as our abilities to create and
explore increase technology powers ahead, while this digital boom is fantastic some of the most
crucial structures, such as roads, are being neglected. A lack of modern roads or even safe roads is a
huge contributor to the dangerous situation that faces road users. A strategy that could be
implemented to fight this problem is the setting up of a road action plans. This plan would need to
detail and prioritise road safety issues and works towards fixing them as quickly as possible, as well
as a coordinating a systematic upgrade of roads based upon age and condition.
I briefly mentioned technology earlier and would like to draw your attention back to the subject,
driving skills and digital distractions are in a constant war for the driver’s attention and this needs to
be addressed. While iPhone sales boom and cars are adapted to best utilise our latest and greatest
toys, related accidents also sky rocket. An investigation undertaken by the Queensland government
in 2011 found that 47% of Australian drivers admitted to regularly texting on their mobile phones
while driving. The investigation discovered the disturbing fact that 33% of fatal crashes were caused
by driver distraction through mediums such as texting. The facts speak for themselves, they are
irrefutable evidence that technology use in vehicles must be seen to. In the interest of promoting
driver health through focused driving I believe that strategies must introduced which aim to remove
this major road hazard. One approach that could be brought in is the instillation of technology in
new vehicles which would block incoming signals to the mobile phones, unless they were connected
to a hands-free device through which they could be used safely. This strategy would reduce the
temptation to check a message etc. that drivers experience when in a vehicle. An alternative to
installing technology in new cars is utilising the already present features of the ever common smart
phone, by this I mean having applications created which send automated replies to messages; this
meets the needs of road safety but satisfies the driver if they are worried the message may require
an immediate reply. Careful research into the needs of drivers would allow the rights products to be
produced and marketed to combat the risks created by technology in vehicles.
Addressing the major hazards facing road users today, such as insufficient infrastructure and the
distraction of technology is an essential step in creating a safer driving environment. Health
promoting actions need to be researched and implemented to counteract the major road hazards.
I’m sure the Road and Traffic Authority will make this concern their highest priority and work
towards a more positive driving future.
Yours sincerely,
Charlotte Mansfield
Charlotte Mansfield