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 Liverpool City Council, in partnership with the RTA has appointed a Road Safety Officer who is responsible for the strategic development of a local road safety program with key stakeholders in the community.
The road safety program identifies and addresses local road safety issues and at risk groups in the community. This leads to the development of local road safety behavioural programs that integrate a combination of education, engineering and enforcement.
Road Safety Update
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Double demerit points apply for speeding offences and not wearing a seatbelt apply during certain holiday periods and long weekends. For details on the next double demerit period, please click here.
School and child safety
There are over 70 schools in the Liverpool local government area. Council shares the community's concerns about the safety of children near the road and is always working towards enhancing safety around schools.
Safety In School Zones
Please remember to ‘Go 40’ between 8-9.30am and 2.30-4pm on school days.
NSW School Terms Link
Here are a few valuable safety tips from Council’s Road Safety Officer:
• Children are small and hard to see
Children can have a short attention span, poor peripheral vision and are easily distracted.
• Always drive at 40km/hr during school zone times
Driving at a lower speed means you have more time to react to a child’s actions and may therefore reduce the severity of an injury if a collision does occur.
• Obey parking signs such as ‘No Stopping’ and ‘No Parking’
You must not stop at all on a section of road that is marked ‘No Stopping’. In a ‘No Parking’ area you can pickup and drop off as long as you stay no longer than 2 minutes and the driver of the vehicle does not move more than 3 metres from the vehicle
• Always set a good example when crossing the road
Children under the age of 10 should always hold the hand of an adult when crossing the road. Always cross the road at the marked crossings or designated safe place to cross. Never call your child across the road.
School Zones - Go 40 for me
 All schools in the Liverpool local government area have designated School Zones. These are lengths of road which are designated a 40km per hour speed limit during, before and after school times.
Most of these school zones are active between 8am and 9:30am in the morning and between 2:30pm and 4pm in the afternoons. School Zones are only active on school days.
The beginning of a School Zone can be identified by a 'Start School Zone 40 sign.'
The School Zone is finished when you see the 'End School Zone sign.'
These 40km school zones are there to enhance the safety of all children in and around the vicinity of schools. Here are four good reasons to slow down to 40km in school zones:
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A child hit by a vehicle travelling at 40km/h has a good chance of surviving the impact. A child hit by a vehicle at travelling at 60km/h has little chance of surviving the impact.
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At 40km/h it will only take you about 30 seconds to go from one end of the school zone to the other.
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Children only concentrate on what they think is important, and forget about anything else.
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Children see things differently to adults. Children are often impulsive and don't see danger. Children don't have the ability to judge the speed of approaching vehicles.
Increased penalties for school zones
Starting on 21 May 2007, the RTA increased the penalties for traffic and parking offences in school zones. New fines and demerit point increases include:
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Speeding - minimum fine of $154 and two demerit points
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Approach children’s crossing too quickly to stop safely - $441 fine and four demerit points
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Double parking - $265 fine and two demerit points
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Stopping on or near a children’s crossing - $353 fine and two demerit points.
(All fines correct as at 1 July 2011)
For a full list of all new penalties and offences, please visit www.rta.nsw.gov.au or call 13 22 13.
Please click here to download a flyer of school zone penalties.
Parking at schools - Protecting your child and others
The main safety concerns at schools always involve conflict between pedestrians and vehicles. You should be aware that Council now has the ability to enforce parking restrictions and illegal road user behaviour around schools.
Council is endeavouring to undertake an education before enforcement approach, but as there are so many schools in the area we would like to make everyone aware of the rules that should be obeyed and the consequences that will follow if they are not.
During term one, Council embarked on a scheme to educate parents about parking restrictions around schools. All schools in the area were provided with posters to promote the “there is no excuse for illegal parking” message. Schools have also been provided with educational resources to include in school newsletters. Council’s parking rangers and police from the Liverpool and Green valley area commands are actively enforcing illegal parking around schools.
Liverpool City Council encourages correct and safe parking in the road environment outside schools.
Child safety in your driveway
Hold me close Keep me safe
Tragically, young children are often run over in "off-road" environments. "Off-road" areas include footpaths, driveways and car parks. Wherever there are moving vehicles, children are potentially at risk.
Children are:
- dependant on adults
- fragile
- curious
- unpredictable
- small and fast
- unable to judge speed, distance and direction
Adults need to:
- hold onto children when near traffic
- remain vigilant
- set a good example
- actively supervise children
- help children learn about road safety
Drivers may not be aware that children are behind their vehicle. It is not just large 4WDs that can have poor visiblity. Most cars have "blind spots" behind them.
It is the responsibility of parents and carers of young children to ensure that they are safe around traffic. Supervise children whenever they are in a traffic environment. Parents should either hold the child's hand or pick them up. A5 information flyer.
Useful Links
MAA Driveway Safety
You can download a copy of the 2010 Where are your kids driveway safety calendar by clicking on the highlighted link.
Kids Need A Hand In Traffic 
Liverpool City Council would like to remind parents it only takes one moving vehicle to present a danger to children, whether it be in a quiet suburban street or in a busy traffic area.
The key message for parents is to set a good example by holding your child’s hand when crossing the road and talk to your children about the dangers involved with traffic and roads.
Research conducted by Kidsafe NSW and funded by the MAA found that parent supervision decreases, particularly for children aged between seven and nine, when they are still too young to cope safely with the road environment.
Useful Links
Kidsafe
You can download a fact sheet or brochure by clicking on the highlighted link. Information is available in English, Arabic, Vietnamese, Chinese and Turkish.
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Seat belts and child restraints
Free Child Restraint Checks
Every year many children are injured or killed in car crashes. Some of these injuries could be prevented or reduced if all children occupy the right restraint for their size and weight and if the restraint is installed and used correctly. All children up to the age of seven years must be correctly restrained in an approved child restraint, suitable for their size and age.
As part of the Local Government Road Safety Program, Council’s Road Safety Officers conduct six free courtesy child restraint checking events per year. An RMS authorised restraint fitter will check that car restraints, harnesses and booster seats have been installed correctly.
These events are funded by Roads and Maritime Services. We are currently awaiting our funding confirmation. It is anticipated that the next event will be held in July 2012.
The following contact details are for RMS authorised restraint fitters in the Liverpool area:
- Australian Auto Enterprise (Moorebank): 9822 7743
- Ben Ruggle's Motorsports (Chipping Norton): 9755 2299
- John Birtles (mobile service): 0402 265 899
- Little’s Child Restraints (mobile service): 1300 728 363
- Original Equipment Van Conversions (Moorebank): 8798 6022
- Supreme Car Air Conditioning (Hoxton Park): 9607 8096
As new national child restraint laws now apply in NSW, the RMS have produced a DVD to help people choose the appropriate child restraint. This resource may be borrowed from Liverpool City Library or other branches.
Road Safety Songs and Rhymes for Young Children
Choose The Right Child Restraint
Seatbelts
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Drink driving
The legal blood alcohol limit for holders of Learner and Provisional (P1 & P2) licences is now ZERO. The legal blood alcohol limit for holders of an unrestricted driver's licence remains at 0.05.
Here's what you risk if you drink any alcohol and drive
The day after...getting back to zero
If you go out drinking and have a big night you may still be over the zero limit the next day. So you must not drive until all the alcohol has been eliminated from your body.
Sobering up takes a long time and no amount of coffee, food, physical activity or sleep will speed up the process.
If you are going to drive, avoid the following otherwise you may not be able to convince a court that you didn't consume an alcoholic beverage or another substance for the purpose of consuming alcohol.
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Medicines and foods with alcohol
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Some medicines and mouthwashes may contain alcohol (ethanol).
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Some foodstuffs such as fruitcake and trifle may also contain alcohol.
On the night...think about you how are you going to travel
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Leave the car or motorcycle at home
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Share a taxi with friends to cut costs
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Stay the night at a friend's place
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Use a train or bus - check timetables to avoid waiting at train stations or bus stops
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Organise to be picked up by someone who is not drinking.
Useful Links
Drink Driving Campaign
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SAFER VEHICLES
Australia's leading independant vehicle safety advocate, The Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP), has launched it's new website. This offers all new car buyers access to a range of important safety information. The new website can be found at www.ancap.com.au
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Speeding
On 19 July 2010, Mobile speed cameras were introduced in NSW to reduce the road toll. Sadly, in 2009 213 people were killed in speed-related crashes on NSW roads which is almost half of the road toll. Many more people were seriously injured. Mobile Speed Camera Locations. Other initiatives include engineering works, highways safety reviews, education campaigns and heavy vehicle research.Mobile speed cameras will operate state-wide and enforcement will be conducted at all times, on all types of roads. Drivers are reminded that if they drive within the speed limit they will not be booked for speeding.
Operation RoadSafe targets speeding, drink driving and non-compliance of seatbelts. It aims to heighten community responsiveness to significant road safety issues and continue the recent successes in saving lives on Sydney roads.
RoadSafe covers all Sydney local government areas and its success is based on combining resources throughout the Inner and Greater Metropolitan police regions with up to 60 police officers per day, three days a week.
During the 2006-07 RoadSafe-style campaigns there were 70,796 random breath tests (mobile and stationary) conducted by police, resulting in 285 prescribed concentration of alcohol charges. 3,289 speeding offences were committed.
RTA community research shows an overwhelming level of public approval - over 80 per cent - for special road safety enforcement programs such as RoadSafe.
Council is committed to supporting the work of the NSW Police, RMS and the Motor Accidents Authority in making Liverpool's roads safer for everyone.
Slow Down On Local Streets 
Council has launched a road safety initiative aimed at making motorists more speed conscious when driving. The theme of Council’s latest road safety awareness campaign is Slow Down on Local Streets.
The centrepiece of the speed awareness campaign is the placement of trailer mounted speed detector units at selected locations across the Liverpool local government area during May. The units will monitor the speed of approaching vehicles while at the same time flashing messages about the importance of slowing down.
Road accident statistics show that speeding accounts for around 40 per cent of all fatal vehicle crashes in NSW.The Slow Down on Local Streets road safety awareness campaign is fully supported by police enforcement.
Useful Links
Nobody Thinks Big Of You
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Pedestrians - LOOK before you cross!
 Liverpool City Council has installed LOOK pedestrian stencils at busy crossings in the Liverpool local government area to promote road safety.
The stencils are designed to remind pedestrians to LOOK before they cross and to take extra care when crossing the road. The high pedestrian activity areas targeted include Liverpool CBD, Wilson Road at Green Valley, Kurrajong Road at Casula and Camden Valley Way at Leppington.
Liverpool City Council Road Safety Officer Melissa Brancato said that pedestrians are highly vulnerable in the road environment, with pedestrian deaths still accounting for about 18% of the road toll in the state.
The LOOK stencils provide a reminder to pedestrians to have a final LOOK before stepping out into the road environment.
For further information regarding the LOOK pedestrian project please contact Council's Road Safety Officers, Rachel Palermo or Melissa Brancato on phone 9821 8835.
How to be a safe pedestrian
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Cross the road at pedestrian crossings, refuges or traffic lights if available.
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At traffic lights, cross the road only when the pedestrian signal is green. When the red light is on, finish crossing. Do not start to cross.
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Before crossing the road, think about whether an approaching driver can see you.
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Never assume that an approaching vehicle will stop for you.
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Avoid crossing between parked cars or in front of buses.
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If no footpath is available, walk facing the oncoming traffic and keep as far from traffic as possible.
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Keep to the left side on shared bicycle / pedestrian paths.
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Wear bright coloured clothing at night or in reduced visibility conditions.
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Children up to eight years old should hold an adult's hand on the footpath, in the carpark or when crossing the road. Children up to ten years old should be actively supervised in the traffic environment and should hold an adult's hand when crossing the road.
Useful Links
The Pedestrian Council of NSW
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Bicycles
The New South Wales Government is committed to providing transport alternatives that:
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Make it easier and more convenient for people to get to places
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Reduce the rate at which the demand for car travel increases, thereby helping to improve air quality.
For bicycles to achieve the above goals, the government has developed Action for Bikes - BikePlan 2010. Action for Bikes - BikePlan 2010 describes a 4-point action plan for bicycles in NSW:
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Improving the bike network
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Making it safer to cycle
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Improving personal and environmental health
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Raising community awareness.
Action for Bikes - Bikeplan 2010 is the result of a comprehensive consultation process with cyclists, local government, relevant agencies and the cycling community.
Useful Links
Bicycle Safety Information
For information regarding cycling in the Liverpool area, please visit www.cyclingconnectingcommunities.net or call 9821 8835 to obtain a copy of "Discover Fairfield and Liverpool by Bike".
To view the Liverpool Bike Plan, please click here.
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Learner drivers
Free Parent's Workshop
Liverpool City Council holds free learner driver workshops for parents and other supervisors of learner drivers. 
The workshops help you with practical advice about:
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Supervising learner drivers
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Completing the learner driver log book
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The benefits of driving practice
The next free "Helping Learner Drivers Become Safer Drivers" workshop will be held at:
This RMS run workshop is suitable for parents and other supervisors of learner drivers. Tea and coffee will be provided and bookings are essential. For further information or to book, call 9821 8835 or 9821 8838.
Learner and provisional drivers must clearly display their L and P plates on the front and back of the outside of the vehichle. The letters L or P must not be hidden. The penalty for failing to display the plates correctly is $206 and two demerit points (Correct 1 July 2011). Don't get caught out! Keep a spare set of plates in your vehicle. Liverpool City Council stocks free Learner and Provisional plates. Please ask at Reception, Level 2, 33 Moore Street Liverpool.
Learner drivers who complete a one hour structured driving lesson with a fully licensed driving instructor can record three hours driving experience in their Learner driver log book. A maximum of 10 hours of lessons will be accepted and recorded as 30 hours in the learner driver log book.
Learner drivers who are aged 25 and over are no longer required to present a Learner driver log book prior to attempting the driving test. For further information , click here to visit the relevant RMS page.
Useful Links
Licensing information
GEARED Magazine - Information For Young Drivers
Youthsafe
NRMA Getting There... How to help your learner driver
keys2drive
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Driver fatigue - Short trip driver fatigue
Driver fatigue, or tiredness, contributes to many hundreds of deaths and injuries on our roads every year. It can be just as deadly as drink driving or excessive speeding.
Fatigue is not just a problem for people taking long trips. Drivers can suffer from fatigue on short trips too.
Stress, study, work, caring for children and broken sleep or too little sleep at night can all drain your energies. This means that you may be tired even before you start driving.
Common symptoms of driver fatigue include:
Myths and facts about short trip driver fatigue
Myth: A cup of coffee or a caffeine drink will keep me awake.
Fact: Caffeine is only a short-term solution and will have less and less affect the more often you use it. It might make you feel more alert, but it will not keep you going for long. Drinking a cup of coffee or a caffeine drink is not an effective way to avoid short trip driver fatigue.
Myth: Loud music will keep me awake
Fact: This might help for a very short period of time, but it won't help for long. Loud music might also distract you from the driving task or even send you to sleep! Playing loud music is not an effective way to avoid short trip driver fatigue.
Myth: Fresh air through the window will keep me awake
Fact: This might give you a boost for a short period of time, as might turning the air conditioning on to cold, but it won't help for long. Fresh air is not an effective way to avoid short trip driver fatigue.
What can you do about short trip fatigue?
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Be aware of your daily schedule and the demands placed by work and leisure activities
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Take a break before driving
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Make arrangements to be picked up
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Use available public transport
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Discuss flexible working hours with your employer.
Sources: Fatigue - The Hidden Killer, Australian Transport Safety Bureau; Preventing Driver Fatigue, Roads and Traffic Authority
Useful Links
Driver fatigue
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Mobile phones
It is illegal to drive or ride while using a hand-held mobile phone. The penalty is a significant fine and three demerit points. It is illegal to talk, send or receive text messages, play games or take photos on a hand held mobile phone while driving. P1 provisional drivers and learner drivers must not use any mobile phone function while driving.
Useful Links
Mobile Phones and Driving
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