New road safety initiative

Deputy Mayor Todd Redwoood with children Pearl and Fleur and wife Tenille

17th Oct 2023

Armidale Regional Council (ARC) has launched a new road safety campaign to encourage careers to hold children’s hands when near or crossing roads.
In partnership with the Little Blue Dinosaur Foundation, Council has launched the safety initiative, ‘Hold my hand’ which advocates for child road safety through community education, government campaigning and by implementing effective local and national road safety initiatives.
Following the tragic death of four-year-old Thomas Maxwell Davis McLaughlin in 2014 from a pedestrian road accident on the Central Coast, Tom’s mother, Michelle McLaughlin established the Little Blue Dinosaur Foundation. Today the Foundation campaigns for a stronger focus towards road safety, and a more educated, and safer future for communities across the country.
Council has teamed up with Little Blue Dinosaur for a more dedicated approach to road safety in the Armidale Region, establishing ‘Hold my hand’ signs in key locations across our region including; The Arboretum, Adventure Playground, Curtis Park North and South, Lambert Park, McDonald Park, Rotary Park Guyra, Apex Park Guyra, and the Guyra Recreation Ground.
“The Armidale region is a place where community spirit thrives, and the ‘Hold my hand’ initiative embodies that spirit,” said Deputy Mayor Todd Redwood. “We are dedicated to fostering a safe and welcoming environment for all children living and visiting our region.
“As a father of two young children, I was disturbed to learn that on average, one Australian child is killed on our roads each week. This shocking statistic fuelled my passion to ensure this initiative was introduced in our region.
“The ‘Hold my hand’ initiative is a testament to Armidale Regional Council’s unwavering dedication to its residents and the enhancement of our region’s quality of life, particularly for youth. This initiative reﬂects the Council’s commitment to safety, unity, and community empowerment, creating a brighter and safer future for the youth in our region.”
The Little Blue Dinosaur Foundation oﬀers three key child pedestrian road safety tips, allowing communities to become more educated on child safety in their area;
1. Hold your child’s hand (on or near roadways). It’s just as important as wearing a seatbelt in a vehicle.
2. Slow down The risk of death or serious injury is higher for children, even at low speeds. (In a crash between a car and a pedestrian, there is a 90 per cent chance of death at speeds of 50km/h or greater)
3. Educate your child. Talk to your kids about road safety and the importance of safe behaviour around roadways.
Children aged 10 years and younger have limited cognitive, physical and perceptual limitations around roadways, driveways, and car parks which makes them very vulnerable road users.
For more information on the Little Blue Dinosaur Foundation and their ongoing commitment to child road safety, visit their website: htps://www.litlebluedinosaur.org/

Going strong for 100 years

Phone	(02) 6779 2347
Email	Contact Us
Social

New road safety initiative

Menu

News

Contact