WHY do people succumb to road rage? What can we do to prevent crashes?
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These are some of the questions a public forum on road deaths late this month hopes to answer.
Expected to feature a panel of experts such as highway patrol police, ambulance officers, and NRMA and RMS representatives, the forum will be held on August 29 at West Tamworth League Club.
The forum organiser is Tamworth man Brian Gregson, better known for his tai chi teachings.
Mr Gregson said that, although he had not been very closely affected by a tragedy, he often saw "bad behaviour" on the roads.
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"And like many people, I've known someone who has been maimed or killed in a car accident: friends, neighbours," Mr Gregson said.
"The rising road toll is an ever-present tragedy and I believe we as a community need to come together to find ways to stop the carnage.
"The road toll is higher this year than for the same time last year, and this alarming trend needs to be addressed."
Mr Gregson has some ideas about why this is: "I think it has a lot to do with stress and people not allowing enough time to get from A to B, and distractions such as mobile phones."
However, he has also invited a psychologist to attend, to field questions about people's thinking and behaviour behind the wheel.
To date this year in NSW, 227 people have lost their lives in road crashes, up from 211 by the same time last year.
The forum is open to all and will coincide with the annual young drivers expo, which will be held from August 27 to 30 at Tamworth Regional Entertainment and Conference Centre.
Mr Gregson hopes that many of the young people who attend the expo will also go along to the forum.
It will start at 6pm in Blazes Auditorium.