Premier Anna Bligh has urged all Queenslanders to make staying alive their priority, as millions of people hit the nation’s roads over the Christmas holiday period. Launching the Christmas Road Safety Campaign with police on the Gold Coast yesterday, Ms Bligh said motorists must take responsibility for their actions, if they are going to make it home safely in the New Year.
(Media-Newswire.com) - Premier Anna Bligh has urged all Queenslanders to make staying alive their priority, as millions of people hit the nation’s roads over the Christmas holiday period.
Launching the Christmas Road Safety Campaign with police on the Gold Coast yesterday, Ms Bligh said motorists must take responsibility for their actions, if they are going to make it home safely in the New Year.
“2007 has been a shocking year on Queensland roads, with 342 lives already lost – 33 more than this time last year,” Ms Bligh said.
“At this rate the annual road toll is likely to be the highest in a decade, since the road toll reached 360 in 1997.
“Between Christmas and New Year last year, 13 people died on our roads – so we are pleading with drivers to do their bit to keep this year’s Christmas road toll down by driving safely.
“Christmas is a time when we should be celebrating with loved ones, not mourning the loss of family or friends."
Ms Bligh said Queensland Police will begin their Official Enforcement Campaign on December 12, targeting reckless drivers who endanger the lives of others.
“10 new high visibility Toyota Aurions will be patrolling our roads, as part of the increased police presence over the holiday period – so those people who do the wrong thing will be caught,” Ms Bligh said.
“Police expect to spend an additional 29,000 hours over the holiday period performing traffic enforcement.
“The government is continuing to fund an extra 600 police officer hours a day on traffic duties during the holiday period, which is equivalent to an additional 76 police officers a day on our roads.
“With so many police watching our roads, there will be no excuse for dangerous or complacent behaviour behind the wheel.”
Superintendent Paul Doyle, State Traffic Support Branch, said police will again be focusing on drink driving, seatbelt use, driver fatigue and speeding. This year drug driving will also be a focus for the first time in Queensland.
“Christmas is one of the busiest times on our roads, so I appeal to all road users to take care, obey the road rules and drive to the conditions to ensure their Christmas isn’t a tragic one,” Superintendent Doyle said.
“Police will maintain a highly visible presence on our roads with a strong focus on traffic enforcement, but there is only so much we can do.
“Ultimately drivers must take responsibility for themselves and others every time they get behind the wheel.”
Ms Bligh said the State Government has recently introduced a suite of new measures to target dangerous drivers, as part of its commitment to reducing the road toll.
New initiatives introduced this month include: • Statewide Random Roadside Drug Testing; • Fixed Speed Cameras; • Q-Cars; • and Vehicle Confiscation Laws targeting motorists who repeatedly drink driver, drive unlicensed and disqualified, and drivers of unregistered and illegally modified vehicles. ( extended into the South Eastern Police Region )
“These initiatives are about saving lives,” Ms Bligh said.
“This year, speed has been identified as a contributing circumstance to 92 road deaths, or 27% of the road toll, while alcohol has been identified as a contributing circumstance to 80 road deaths, or 24% of the road toll.
“21% of road deaths ( 72 ) have involved young people aged 17-24, while 34 deaths, or 10% of the road toll, have been attributed to people not wearing seatbelts.
“We are determined to crack down on this kind of behaviour, to curb the senseless loss of lives on our roads.
“The message is clear – if you put the lives of other road users in danger, you will face the consequences.”
Ms Bligh said a statewide advertising campaign, using the well-known “Enough is Enough” slogan, will run from December 16, on television, radio, outdoor billboards and the internet.
“These ads are aimed squarely at preventing more tragedy on the roads,” Ms Bligh said.
“I appeal to all Queensland motorists to take care and be responsible this holiday period – don’t drink or drug drive, don’t speed or drive tired, wear a seat belt and pay attention to the road rules.
“We all play a part in keeping our roads safe, so use your common sense, be patient and live to enjoy the new year.”
Media Contact: Premier's Office 3224 4500
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