NRMA launches safety campaign as wheel and tyre damage spikes

Persistent rain throughout NSW and the ACT and flooding along the north coast of NSW has meant motorists have again been forced to contend with damaged roads and potholes. Over 9,200 calls for help have been recorded in the first 28 days of April alone. 

In 2024 NRMA patrols responded 141,650 calls for tyre and wheel damage. 

An alarming increase in the road toll in recent weeks and the findings of NRMA’s breakdowns analysis has led to the organisation launching a grassroots campaign designed to mobilise the community around addressing the causes of deaths and injuries on our roads and saving lives. 

Taking part in the NRMA’s Reckoning on our Roads campaign is easy - the form is accessible on smartphones and desktops and will remain open until Friday 16 May. Participants are invited to share their views on making our roads safer in 20 words or less and can upload a photo.  

The NRMA will leverage the community feedback as part of a state-wide campaign it will launch during National Road Safety Week in May. To have your say, visit https://nrmasaferoads.com.au. 

NRMA Spokesperson Peter Khoury said the organisation was committed to mobilising its members and the broader community to deliver policy outcomes that would save lives. 

“No one knows the issues on local roads better than the locals who drive them – the road toll is again too high in 2025 and the NRMA needs the community’s help to bring about change,” Mr Khoury said. 

“Whether you reckon more needs to be done to make school zones safer, improve road quality to prevent future potholes, or increase the number of free parking spaces; whatever you think needs to be done, we want to hear from you.  

“The NRMA is for road safety and hearing from all Australians is vital in directing our efforts to bring about policy change and infrastructure funding at all levels of Government.” 

Across Sydney, the LGAs which saw the highest numbers of additional calls during this period were Blacktown (236), Northern Beaches (186), Sydney (112) and Canterbury Bankstown (111). 

Outside of greater Sydney the most significant increases were seen in Mid Coast (97), Central Coast (41), Port Macquarie (39), Tweed (38), and Port Stephens (33).  

“Continued high number of callouts for wheel and tyre damage showed local councils needed ongoing funding support from the federal and state governments to maintain roads to a safe standard following years of significant weather events wreaking havoc on infrastructure,” Mr Khoury said. 

“We know for many of these areas, especially outside of greater Sydney, much of the damage is recent, with some of the NSW LGAs impacted by cyclone Alfred making the list already, and we expect to see numbers in these areas continue to rise as recovery efforts continue.  

“Councils in these areas have been working hard to repair the damage, and it is vital they get the support they need to get roads in their regions fixed as quickly as possible.”