Blessing of the Roads 2025

A Community Commitment to Road Safety

Blessing of the Roads 2025 – Event Summary

Since 1999, the Blessing of the Roads campaign, coordinated by RoadWise, has been an important annual road safety initiative in the lead-up to the Easter long weekend—a time when many people travel long distances to visit loved ones or enjoy a holiday getaway.

In 2025, the campaign once again brought the community together to promote road safety and reflect on the importance of responsible travel during the busy Easter period. The event followed the globally recognised Safe System Approach, which works toward a future free of road deaths and serious injuries.

In a heartfelt ceremony held on Thursday, 10th April, the Pingelly community gathered by the Town Hall to take part in the annual Blessing of the Roads – a powerful reminder of the importance of road safety, especially as the Easter break approached.

This year’s event was led by Shire President Jackie McBurney, who spoke on the significance of the occasion and the shared responsibility we all have to keep ourselves and others safe on the roads. During her address, Cr McBurney shared some shocking statistics on the number of lives lost on WA roads from January to March 2025, highlighting the disproportionate number of fatalities occurring on regional roads. The figures were a sobering reminder of how quickly tragedy can strike – and the urgent need for awareness, caution, and respect when driving.

The ceremony also included a moment of silence to honour the lives lost on regional roads in past years – a touching tribute that resonated deeply with those in attendance.

As a symbol of awareness and support for emergency services, 15 seconds of sirens and flashing lights filled the air, thanks to the dedicated efforts of Pingelly St John, Pingelly Fire Brigade, Pingelly SES, and Pingelly Police.

Their presence at the ceremony was more than symbolic—it was a powerful reminder of the crucial role they play in our community. These local heroes dedicate countless hours to training, preparation, and response, often sacrificing personal time to ensure the safety and wellbeing of Pingelly and the surrounding region. Their commitment, professionalism, and unwavering support in times of need do not go unnoticed and were rightfully honoured during the event.

We are incredibly fortunate to have such devoted emergency service units standing ready to protect and serve our community, and we thank them sincerely for all that they do.

By participating in this year’s event, community members—including drivers, cyclists, pedestrians, and local residents—helped spread the vital message that every journey should be a safe one. The event also provided a moment to acknowledge and thank our dedicated emergency services personnel and volunteers who work year-round to keep our roads and communities safe.

Shire President’s Speech

Good morning distinguished guests, members of our first responders groups, and fellow residents of Pingelly,

We gather here today, as we do each year just before the Easter holiday, to participate in the “Blessing of the Roads” ceremony. This event serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of road safety and the collective responsibility we share in ensuring that every journey we undertake is a safe one.

It is my great honour to stand before you as the Shire President of Pingelly, a community that values the safety and well-being of all its members. Today, we specifically recognise our dedicated first responders – the ambulance, police, fire, SES officers – who work tirelessly to protect us every day. Their presence here underscores the vital role they play in our society and the unwavering commitment they have to our safety.

As we reflect on the past year, we must confront some sobering statistics. During the 12 months ending February 2025, Australia witnessed 1,292 road deaths, marking an increase of 1.6% compared to the same period last year. While this rise is concerning, there are also encouraging signs. In February 2025, we recorded 79 road deaths, which is 31 fewer than the same month last year, translating to a significant 28.2% reduction.

These figures remind us that progress is possible, but they also highlight the ongoing challenges we face. The fatality rate for the 12 months to February 2025 stands at 4.7 deaths per 100,000 people, representing a 0.3% decrease compared to the same time last year. So far in 2025, there have been 193 road deaths, a 6.8% decrease from the January to February period in 2024, when there were 207 deaths.

When we break down these numbers by age, the impact of road fatalities becomes even more apparent:

0-16 years: 57 deaths
17-25 years: 229 deaths
26-39 years: 262 deaths
40-64 years: 408 deaths
65-74 years: 143 deaths
Over 75 years: 188 deaths

These statistics are not just numbers; they represent lives lost, families shattered, and communities affected. Each death is a tragedy that underscores the need for continued vigilance and proactive measures to enhance road safety.

As we stand here today, let us renew our commitment to making our roads safer. Let us pledge to adhere to speed limits, avoid distractions, never drive under the influence, and always wear seat belts. These simple yet effective actions can save lives and prevent injuries.

In a few moments, we will conclude our ceremony with a 15-second sounding of the sirens, honouring those who have lost their lives on our roads and reminding us of the urgency of our mission. Afterwards, I invite you all to join us for morning tea in the Town Hall, where we can continue this important conversation and strengthen our community bonds.

Thank you for being here today, for your dedication to road safety, and for your unwavering support of our first responders. Together, we can make a difference and ensure that every journey is a safe one.

Let us now pause for the sounding of the sirens.

2026 Event Promotion

Details of the next Blessing of the Roads event will be available in early 2026.

We look forward to welcoming the community once again to continue supporting safer journeys for everyone.

2025 Event Promotion

Event Details:

📅 Date: Thursday 10 April 2025
⏰ Time: 10am
📍 Location: Pingelly Memorial Park & Town Hall

All are welcome to attend the event. Morning tea will be held in the Town Hall Reading Room.