Indigenous Road Safety
The aim of the Indigenous Road Safety Program
The aim of the Northern Territory Indigenous Road Safety Program is to reduce the high representation of Indigenous people involved in road trauma within the Northern Territory.
A key objective of this program is to work more closely with Indigenous communities and organisations to develop targeted and relevant educational campaigns and resources. Some recent initiatives include:
- Muttacar Sorry Business
- Road Safety Song Competition
- Recent campaigns - Seatbelts, Pedestrians, Drink driving, Baby car seats
- Back of Trucks
- CAAMA Footy Show
- Community visits
- Challenges
Muttacar Sorry Business
The Tour Kicks Off
In the Northern Territory, Indigenous people make up some 30% of the population, yet they have consistently represented around 50% of the road deaths. These high levels are a significant concern to all Territorians.
This high representation of Indigenous people in road crashes is inextricably linked to geographical, cultural, social, educational and economic issues.
To address this, the Department of Planning and Infrastructure’s Road Safety Branch, Artback NT and Yirra Yaakin have come together to present this unique performance and workshop package called Muttacar Sorry Business.
This FREE performance and workshop package tackles the key issues of alcohol, risk taking behaviours, non-wearing of seatbelts and overcrowding vehicles and was designed to be performed in the bush by Indigenous people for Indigenous people.
Muttacar Sorry Business Northern Territory tour starts on 7 July and will travel 6,500 kms visiting the Alice Springs and Tennant Creek regions for five weeks performing at 30 schools and community centres.
Media Release - Award Winning road safety play aims to reduce Indigenous road toll
2008 Tour Schedule |
| South District |
| Docker River | Tuesday 8th July |
| Mutijulu | Wednesday 9th July |
| Imanpa | Thursday 10th July |
| Aputula (Finke) | Friday 11th July |
Due to unforseen circumstances, the Muttacar Sorry Business performances and workshops in Papunya, Yuendemu and Nyirripi have been postponed until further notice.
| Alice Springs area |
Ewyenper Atwatye (Hidden Valley Town Camp) |
Monday 21July |
| Alice Springs Correctional Centre | Monday 21 - Tuesday 22 July |
| St Phillips College | Tuesday 22 July |
| Centralian College | Wednesday 23 July |
| Ltyentye Apurte (Santa Teresa) | Thursday 24th July |
| Titjikala (Maryvale) | Friday 25th July |
| Yirara College | Monday 28 July |
| Tennant Creek area |
Laramba (Napperby) |
Tuesday 29th July |
| Utopia (Arlparra Store) | Thursday 30th July |
| Alpurrurulam (Lake Nash | Friday 31st July |
| Tennant Creek | Saturday 2nd - Tuesday 5th August |
Ali Currung |
Wednesday 6th August |
| Willowra | Thursday 7th August |
| Atitjere (Harts Range) | Friday 8th August |
For further enquiries please contact:
Vanessa Hutchins, ArtBack NT, Ph: 0412 323 607
Road Safety Song Competition
Road Safety Song Competition 2008
The 3rd Road Safety Song Competition (RSSC) took place at the 2008 Barunga Cultural and Sports Festival.
A crowd of 5000 people attended the festival over the Queen's Birthday long weekend they were entertained by exciting sports events, engaging cultural activities and great dance and music including the song competition.
This year 12 bands participated in the RSSC, these bands came from far and wide to perform. There was rap, rock 'n roll and reggae, a bit of something for everyone.
The winners of the 2008 Road Safety Song Competition were:
1st Place |
Matter of Soul (MOS) from Warruwi - “Drive safe”. |
2nd Place |
Sandridge Band from Borroloola - “Please don’t ignore them early warning signs”. |
3rd Place |
Beswick School - “Yo buckle up”. |
A compilation CD featuring the best songs from the Road Safety Song Competition and other music from the festival will be released shortly for public distribution. If you would like to receive a free copy please contact Road Safety on (08) 8924 7019 or email roadsafety@nt.gov.au.
Congratulations and thank you to all those who participated in this year's Road Safety Song Competition.
Barunga Rocks 2007
The Barunga Rocks DVD from the 2007 Road Safety Song Competition features some of the NT's best emerging bands including the Sandridge Band, Lonely Boys, Warren H. Williams, Reggae Dave, T-Lynx and more.
To buy Barunga Rocks 2007 click here
Barunga Live 2006 - Safe Tracks Home
The Barunga Live 2006 - Safe Tracks Home CD includes three road safety songs and a great selection of eleven additional songs performed by Territory bands at the Barunga Festival. It features a diverse and exciting blend of music from bands including Wildflower, The Lonely Boys, Storm Riders and the Lajamanu Teenage Band.
2006 Road Safety Song Competition - Presentation (ppt 3.5mb)
Winners of 2006 Road Safety Song Competition (pdf 365kb)
To buy Barunga Live 2006 - Safe Tracks Home click here
Contact (08) 8924 7019 for more details.
Recent campaigns
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Don't drink and drive |
Baby car seats Information on child restraints |
Always wear your seatbelt 
Look out for people Back of Trucks campaign
On 1 January 2003 new laws made it illegal to ride in the back of all utilities, even those fitted with a roll-cage.
This campaign is targeted at remote Indigenous communities and includes radio announcements in English, Murrinh Patha and Djambarrpuyngu; as well as posters, bumper stickers and visits to communities. Initially the campaign is targeted at Top End communities but in time could be extended into Central Australia.
Back of Trucks poster (pdf 281kb)
CAAMA Footy Show
Road Safety has continued a sponsorship arrangement with the CAAMA Footy Show which includes radio interviews with road safety champions, and announcements in English, Arrernte, Pitjanjatara, Anmatyerr and Walpiri.
Community visits
Road Safety officers visit communities to discuss road safety awareness and to develop working partnerships. Road Safety holds educational stalls at a number of Indigenous festivals across the Top End including the Merrepen Arts Festival, Barunga Sports and Cultural Festival, and Gunbalanya Open Day. Regional Road Safety officers also routinely visit communities around Alice Springs and Tennant Creek.
Challenges
Whilst Indigenous people make up some 28% of the population, they have consistently represented around 50% of the road deaths. These high levels are a significant concern to all Territorians.
The high representation of Indigenous people in road crashes is inextricably linked to geographical, cultural, social, educational and economic issues.
75% of Indigenous people reside outside the major regional centres, with many of these living in remote communities. There are approximately 77 recognised major Indigenous communities and 800 other locations with 5 to 100 people living there.
Remote and rural areas of Australia have their similarities. Factors exist that may never change - isolation, long roads, gravel surfaces, dust and animals. These, mixed with factors such as poorly maintained motor vehicles, drink drivers, intoxicated pedestrians, speed, fatigue-driving, riding in the back of utilities, and non-wearing of seat belts have resulted in an unacceptable record of crashes.
Census indicates that over 70% of Indigenous families in the Northern Territory speak their native language in their home. In some remote areas, this proportion exceeds 95%. This highlights that there are a range of considerations that must be addressed when developing and delivering road safety messages. Cultural differences, language differences, and community protocols are taken into consideration in delivering the Indigenous Road Safety program.