Extreme weather communications toolkit

Statistics

In the five years 2020-2024, on NSW roads, there were 256 fatalities and 3,568 serious injuries in crashes where the surface condition was reported as wet.

Note. The Centre for Road Safety only reports on crashes recorded by NSW Police Force, in which at least one person was killed or injured, or in which at least one motor vehicle was towed away.

Key messages

• You must take extra care driving in wet or rainy conditions.
• During heavy rainfall or flooding, roads can quickly become hazardous. Roads or crossings that may have looked safe a short time ago can quickly become dangerous. Roads and the ground beneath them can wash away and this may not be visible from the surface.
• Floodwater can be deeper than it looks and contain pollutants and other debris. It can trap your car and put you and your passengers at risk. Never drive through floodwater.

Tips for staying safe:

• Before you leave
  • Only travel if it's essential to do so. If you're safe, stay where you are and avoid any unnecessary travel.
  • If you need to travel or evacuate, visit the Live Traffic NSW website to check road conditions and closures and adjust your route accordingly.
  • Investigate alternate routes of travel. 
  • For real-time flood, severe weather and tsunami warnings in NSW, download the Hazards Near Me app or visit the NSW SES website.
• If you see floodwater
  • Turn around and find a safer way to go.
  • Don't attempt to drive, ride or walk through floodwater.
  • Help keep you, your passengers and SES workers and volunteers safe.
  • Contact people who may be waiting for you to advise of your delay. 
• What to do if you’re trapped
  • In an emergency call Triple Zero (000). 

For more information visit www.transport.nsw.gov.au/roadsafety/road-users/drivers/extreme-weather

Video link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lcI4dSGiujU

How to use this toolkit

This toolkit supports your online and in-person communications and engagement. Some assets need a Creative Assets Library (CAL) account - see how to register at the end of this page.

More road safety toolkits are available on the communications toolkits page. Hub members can log in to access the full list of toolkits.

Social tiles

Cars in the rain Download Social media messaging: Tips for driving in wet weather:  ⚠️ Obey speed advisory signs and drive to the conditions.    💡 Put your headlights on low beam. Only use your fog lights if driving in fog, mist, or other conditions that restrict your visibility.    📏 Keep a safe distance from the vehicle in front. Gently brake in wet conditions to avoid skidding and losing control. Brake early and accelerate slowly.	Drive to the conditions Download Social media messaging: Drive safely in wet weather and never drive through flood waters.   Remember to keep a safe distance, brake gently to avoid skidding and turn on your low beam headlights if it starts to rain. Learn more: www.transport.nsw.gov.au/roadsafety/road-users/drivers/extreme-weather#	Turn on headlights Download Social media messaging: You must take extra care driving on wet or icy roads. If it starts to rain, turn on your low beam headlights to improve visibility for yourself and others.
Slow down especially at night and early morning Download Social media messaging: Option 1: Take care when driving on wet or icy roads at night or at dusk/dawn, when surface moisture and dew can freeze into black ice. Option 2: Slowing down gives you more time to react if there's a hazard on the road. This is especially important at night or early morning when visibility is reduced.	Never drive through floodwater Download Social media messaging*: (*Note. The storm season is generally between September to April. Use these messages accordingly during relevant periods) Option 1: As we enter storm season, there’s now a greater risk of floods. If you come across floodwater, turn back and find another way around. Never drive through floodwater. More info: www.transport.nsw.gov.au/roadsafety/road-users/drivers/extreme-weather  Option 2: Severe weather is affecting this area. Avoid all unnecessary travel. If you must travel, follow advice from emergency services. Don't enter floodwater. If you become trapped in floodwater, call Triple Zero (000) immediately.	Be aware of black ice and fog this winter Download 1000 x 1000px Static  Download 300 x 250px GIF Social media messaging: Option 1: Take care when driving on wet or icy roads at night or at dusk/dawn, when surface moisture and dew can freeze into black ice. Option 2: In foggy conditions, you may not be able to see very far in front of you. Slow down and look out for any upcoming turns, crests or hazards on the road. Leave plenty of space between any vehicles in front of you. Turn on your fog lights or low beam headlights so others can see you.

Radio / audio scripts

15 second script: "Never enter floodwater. It can be deeper than you think, contain harmful material and conceal damaged or missing parts of roads. During a flood follow advice from emergency services and never drive through floodwater."

Download via CAL ID: 116809

15 second script: "Severe weather is affecting this area. Avoid all unnecessary travel. If you must travel, follow advice from emergency services. Do not enter floodwater. If you become trapped in floodwater, call Triple Zero immediately."

Download via CAL ID: 116808

Article suggested copy

Never drive on flooded roads

During heavy rainfall or flooding, roads can quickly become hazardous. Roads or crossings that may have looked safe a short time ago can quickly become dangerous. Roads and the ground beneath them can wash away and this may not be visible from the surface.

The major cause of death during floods is when people enter or travel through floodwater.

Follow these tips for staying safe 

Before you leave

• Only travel if it's essential to do so. If you're safe, stay where you are and avoid any unnecessary travel.
• If you need to travel or evacuate, visit the Live Traffic NSW website to check road conditions and closures and adjust your route accordingly.
• Investigate alternate routes of travel.
• For real-time flood, severe weather and tsunami warnings in NSW, download the Hazards Near Me app or visit the NSW SES website. 

If you see floodwater

• Turn around and find a safer way to go.
• Don't attempt to drive, ride or walk through floodwater.
• Help keep you, your passengers and SES workers and volunteers safe. 
• Contact people who may be waiting for you to advise of your delay.

What to do if you’re trapped

• In an emergency call Triple Zero (000). 

Variable message signs (VMS)

Support the initiative by securing VMS space and using the text below.

Portable VMS

How to use the Creative Assets Library (CAL)

If you already have an account, log in at creativeassets.transport.nsw.gov.au and search for the relevant CAL ID.

To create an account:

1. Visit creativeassets.transport.nsw.gov.au

2. Click ‘Register’ on the top right-hand side of the page

3. Complete the form

4. Click the box to confirm if you agree with the Terms and conditions

5. Submit your registration request to administrator for approval

6. You will then receive email confirmation when your account is ready to access (generally within 24-48 hours).

If you have any issues with the CAL, email creativeassets@transport.nsw.gov.au and provide screenshots of the issue.

More information

For more information, visit www.transport.nsw.gov.au/roadsafety/road-users/drivers/extreme-weather

If you have any questions or would like to be notified of new communication toolkits, please contact us to be added to the subscriber list.

Registered Hub users can also access existing communication toolkits by logging in and going to Guides, Toolkits & Publications.

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