For more than two decades, Melanie Suitor has been a familiar face and passionate advocate for road safety across the Parkes, Forbes and Lachlan Shires, in her role as the Road Safety and Injury Prevention Officer for the three councils.

Ms Suitor works tirelessly to prevent accidents, educate drivers, and bring innovative safety initiatives to regional roads.

Ms Suitor’s efforts, and those of her colleagues across the state, were in the spotlight during National Road Safety Week, which took place from 11 to 18 May.

Living and breathing her role, Ms Suitor is also the Chairperson of the Australasian College of Road Safety Local Government Network.

“I fell into road safety after completing my communications degree,” Ms Suitor said.

“I’m from regional NSW and I always knew I wanted to work in the country.

"When I saw the Road Safety Officer position advertised, I thought ‘I could do that.’

"I had my PR and journalism skills, was good at public speaking, and enjoyed project management. I figured I would learn the rest on the job – and I did.”

That was 23 years ago.

Since then, Ms Suitor has worked on everything from speeding and drink driving campaigns to heavy vehicle safety and fatigue awareness.

 “It’s a job that literally can save lives,” she said.

“Working in local government road safety is incredibly rewarding.

"You’re at the coalface, working directly with and for your local community.”

Her role involves collaboration with a wide network of partners including local police, Transport for NSW, SafeWork NSW, NSW Ambulance, local farmers, and community groups.

Lachlan Shire Library got into the spirit of National Road Safety Week by offering themed colouring in for the kids.

“The road safety community is very welcoming and generous with sharing their time and knowledge,” she said.

Ms Suitor’s dedication reflects the broader mission being celebrated statewide last week, as the NSW Police Force Traffic and Highway Patrol commemorates a century of keeping road users safe.

From the introduction of stationary Random Breath Testing in 1982—which reduced road deaths by 300 in its first year—to the rollout of roadside drug testing in 2024, innovation has been central to the patrol’s success.

Minister for Police and Counter-terrorism Yasmin Catley praised the contribution of frontline police.

“For a century, what is now the NSW Police Force Traffic & Highway Patrol has stood as a constant presence on our roads saving lives and keeping communities safe with a dedication that often goes unseen but never unappreciated,” she said.

Regional Roads, Real Challenges

In 2023, 338 people lost their lives on NSW roads, and over 70 per cent of those fatalities occurred in regional areas.

Speeding was a contributing factor in about 40 per cent of those deaths.

Ms Suitor knows these statistics all too well and is why she believes localied sgtrategies are so important.

“Regional drivers face different challenges, long distances, fatigue, unpredictable weather and wildlife, and often poorer road conditions,” she said.

“We work closely with our communities to tailor programs that make sense locally.

"It’s not a one-size-fits-all approach.”