The Minns Labor Government and the Western Sydney Wanderers are teaming up to tackle road trauma, together sending a powerful message ahead of this weekend’s Sydney Derby: every life lost on our roads is one too many.
Marking a decade-long partnership, the annual Towards Zero Round will bring the Wanderers and Sydney FC together to put road safety front and centre, putting rivalries aside to push for safer roads across NSW.
Sadly, so far in 2025, 322 lives have been lost on NSW roads, with 60 fatal crashes in Western Sydney.
In a symbolic moment, both clubs’ goalkeepers will wear the number 0 on their jerseys, representing the Government’s long-term target of zero deaths and zero serious injuries on NSW roads by 2050.
As part of the Towards Zero Round, Nigel Smith, a member of the Road Trauma Support Group NSW, will share his story with attendees at Saturday’s derby.
Nigel’s 18-year-old son Lachlan was killed in a high-speed crash in Silverdale, south-west of Sydney in 2022. Lachlan was a passenger of a speeding vehicle and had his promising life cut tragically short.
Speeding remains the biggest killer on NSW roads, accounting for around 40 per cent of deaths every year. Sadly, in Western Sydney there were almost 100 fatal crashes between 2020-2024 where speeding was a factor.
Minister for Roads, Jenny Aitchison said:
“The Minns Labor Government is proud to stand with the Wanderers in using the power of football to deliver one clear message: road trauma is preventable.
“Every life lost on our roads is a member of a family, a teammate, a fan who will never see another game.
“I want to thank Nigel for his courage in sharing his story. Lachlan had his whole life ahead of him, and we owe it to families like his to do better.
“As we head into the busy holiday season, our message couldn’t be clearer: slow down, you’re your seatbelt correctly, put the phone away, plan your night out, and never get behind the wheel if you’re tired or impaired.”
Western Sydney Wanderers CEO Scott Hudson said:
“Our players have a responsibility as role models within the community and have a long history when it comes to championing road safety in not only Western Sydney, but across NSW.
“The Towards Zero round is a great opportunity to work closely with Sydney FC to reach as many fans as possible, and we’re proud to leverage our brand and influence to help reduce road trauma and to promote safe driving habits to the passionate football community.”
