Minister Miller and Commissioner Stewart are focussed on targeting the Fatal 5 this Easter.
Police, Fire and Emergency Services Minister Jo-Ann Miller, Road Safety Minister Mark Bailey and Ambulance Services Minister Cameron Dick today launched the Commissioner of Police Ian Stewart along with other police and emergency services personnel to launch the 2015 Easter Road Safety campaign.
This year’s operation will focus on the fatal five, the most common killers on Queensland roads, which include speeding, drink and drug driving, fatigue, inattention and seat belt use.
The Easter holiday period is traditionally a busy time on the roads with people often travelling long distances to and from their holidays in relatively short time frames. Fatigue often plays a part in these journeys so drivers are being urged to take regular breaks.
The Queensland Police Service will play a key role in ensuring road safety and compliance as they coordinate a state-wide traffic operation from April 2 2015 to midnight April 24 2015. This will run in conjunction with the Easter National Road Safety Campaign.
Unfortunately, last year’s Easter period saw three fatal traffic crashes and 150 injury crashes. Police conducted 111,318 breath tests with 434 drink drivers returning a positive reading. Out of 861 drug tests conducted state-wide, 40 drug drivers were detected. Police found 19,662 motorists to be speeding while 259 seat belts offences and 287 mobile phone offences occurred.
Commissioner Stewart is calling for the support of the Queensland public to exercise safe road behaviours over Easter and to always remember the fatal five of speeding, drink or drug driving, fatigue, seat belts and distraction and inattention.
“In 2014 the road toll in Queensland was 223, which was the lowest since records began. So far in 2015 the road toll currently stands at 44, which is 2 less than the same time last year.
“The decrease in the road toll over the past five years shows that individuals can make a difference. If individual drivers pay attention, don’t speed and drive to the conditions, lives will be saved.
“Road Safety is a shared responsibility – everyone must play their part in road safety whether it is by complying with the road rules, enforcing them, or educating others in safe behaviours,” Commissioner Stewart said.
I've always wondered which button turned on the siren… @qpsmedia https://t.co/bMx0lK7xbs
— Jo-Ann Miller (@JoAnnMillerMP) March 31, 2015
