ROAD Safety Week pulls no punches. Its aim in 2017 is to make Queensland roads safer and to do that, the initiative is focussing on young drivers and vulnerable road users.
The Queensland Police Service is onboard, encouraging everyone to make an achievable pledge – just commit to improving a single road behaviour.
“Speed remains one of our biggest issues in Queensland with more than 1000 people either killed or injured in crashes where speed was a factor in Queensland every year,” a QPS spokesperson said.
“For this reason, there will be a focus to remind all drivers and riders to check their speed, drive/ride to the conditions, and stay within the limits.”
Speed is just the start. Each day of Road Safety Week has a different issue at its core. Drink and drug driving was the focus on Tuesday; distractions, seat belts and child restraints come under analysis on Wednesday; sharing the road on Thursday and fatigue on Friday.
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If there isn’t one thing we can find to do better, we probably shouldn’t drive at all.
Lest we start getting on our high horses while pointing out perceived failings in others, we need to remember that Road Safety Week is a chance to check our own behaviours.
We can show by actions, not words, that we’re up to speed with staying safe on the roads.
One way is to start reading the signs, and not just those on the roads. Our bodies signal when we’re tired, and our mates tell us when we’ve had enough to drink.
According to Assistant Commissioner Mike Keating, it’s important for the public to make a pledge to reduce the road toll.
“Police encourage Queenslanders everywhere to make a commitment to improving their behaviour on our roads and to challenge the behaviours that lead to devastation on our roads,” he said.
Once behind the wheel, it’s all down to us.