NSW Rugby League and Transport for NSW have combined forces to deliver important road safety messages, in particular in NSW country towns.

Known as the “Knock-on Effect”, Member for Bathurst Paul Toole welcomed the arrival of a Regional Road Show with rugby league stars who spoke about the importance of staying safe on our roads alongside a special skills and drills session.

The visit followed the announcement of the NSW Government’s historic two-year partnership with the NRL, NSW Rugby League and Country Rugby League in an effort to save more lives on our country roads.

The road show forms part of the Government and Rugby League’s ‘Knock-on Effect’ campaign designed to tackle road safety in the country head on.

The City Origin team kicked off the campaign with a special clinic and road safety presentation at Oberon High School on their way to Mudgee for the annual Country-City clash.

Mr Toole said students and teachers heard personal road safety experiences from the City Origin Rugby League stars while learning tips to keep them safe on our roads. 

“Of the total 384 lives lost on NSW roads last year, five were from our local region. This is one more fatality than 2015 where we saw four people killed,” Mr Toole  said.

“These deaths and serious injury casualties are having a ‘Knock-on Effect’ in our town, causing unnecessary heartache on families and friends. We need to think about our behaviour when we are out on the roads.”

During the visit players and coaches ran through footy training drills with the students before talking with them about the Knock-On Effect – consequences for family, friends and community when a road accident occurs. They encouraged students to make smarter and safer choices when driving.

While all the players were generous with their time, Cameron McInnes was particularly kind when he gave his team jumper to one lucky student.