A REDLAND Bay police officer has reminded the public of the dangers associated with the fatal five as drivers pledge to slow down ahead of Fatality Free Friday.
Redland Bay police officer-in-charge Senior Sergeant Steve Graham said speeding, drink and drug driving, failing to wear a seatbelt and driving distracted or under fatigue were the biggest killers.
According to state government data, 85 lives have been lost on Queensland roads this year, nine more than during the same period last year.
These alarming statistics come despite a downturn in traffic on the state's roads due to COVID-19 restrictions.
A 30 per cent drop on Queensland's major highways was recorded in April.
Fatality Free Friday asks drivers to sign a slow down pledge promising to always be fit to drive, stay focused on the road and scan it for hazards, keep a safe distance and drive to the conditions.
A total of 482,866 people had signed at the time of writing.
Senior Sergeant Graham said drivers should turn off their phone and avoid the temptation of picking up a call while driving.
"Always make sure you pull over and turn the vehicle off before you use your phone," he said.
He also urged people to watch their speed, with a number of crashes this year caused by motorists flouting signed limits.
"It has been proven that speeds just five kilometres over the limit in urban areas are enough to double the risk of a casualty crash," Senior Sergeant Graham said.
With coronavirus restrictions easing, police are increasing their presence on the roads.
Speed cameras are back in use and drivers are being stopped for random breath tests.
"Police are still doing breath analysis on drivers, so they could be pulled over at any time," Senior Sergeant Graham said.
"People shouldn't get lulled into a false sense of security because of COVID-19.
"We are still intercepting vehicles and conducting drink driving and drug driving tests."
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