COBAR Shire Council will spend $5000 of NRMA grant money to develop a road safety video that teaches city slickers about the hazards of driving on country roads.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The video is set to target new residents and tourists by highlighting the challenges involved in tackling gravel and dirt roads effected by erosion and potholes, and drive home the message of forward planning by telling motorists to use maps instead of their GPS.
Council special projects officer Angela Shepherd hoped the video would be a helpful vehicle for local industries, in particular mining companies, to educate staff about the inherent - but not always obvious - dangers present in negotiating the shire's vast rural and regional road network.
There are more than 2700 kilometres of road networks across Cobar Shire. Unsealed rural and regional roads account for 1841 kilometres of the total network, sealed roads 403 kilometres and state roads 470 kilometres.
"We have such a vast road network, and while locals are pretty accustomed to the conditions many visitors don't fully understand just how some of those roads can deteriorate rapidly," Ms Shepherd said.
Council expects to start filming next month and hopes to have the final product ready for distribution early next year.