It seems road rules go out the window for many people during the busy period, where mindfulness of one’s surroundings is not paramount.

Sure, there are always people – motorists and pedestrians – who will tempt fate or behave as though they have right of way in every case. But this level of road entitlement seems to go up several notches during the summer holidays. Whether parking, driving or crossing the road, people often lose their care and consideration of others.

Speeding, failure to use an indicator, not giving way when required and impatience with people who are reverse parking are common behaviours year-round that seem to become more prominent at this time of year.

The perceived safety net of being inside a vehicle and de-personalisation of others at times, it seems, make any infrastructure upgrades pointless.

This issue has been on the NSW Government’s radar recently, with their launch of a new campaign to save lives on NSW country roads.

The aim is towards a zero road toll. Yet, is this a utopia? Messages and awareness campaigns are all well and good, but they tend to register only on a surface level. Too often it takes first-hand experience for a change in attitude and behaviour to be permanent.

Always be mindful of road safety – for all. None of that Christmas shopping or holiday planning will mean a thing if we don’t survive the journey to enjoy the destination.