Light your drive for road safety this Christmas

Published Thursday, 11 December, 2014 at 10:30 AM

Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Services
The Honourable Jack Dempsey

Queensland families using the State’s roads this holiday period are being encouraged to ‘Light your drive’ in support of road safety.

Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Services Jack Dempsey, Police Commissioner Ian Stewart and motor racing champion Craig Lowndes today launched the Christmas road safety campaign.

“We are asking all motorists to ‘Light your drive’ and focus on keeping everyone on Queensland roads safe this Christmas,” Mr Dempsey said.

“By turning on your headlights this holiday period, even during the day, you’ll highlight the Fatal Five message and raise awareness of road safety.

“Failure to respect the road rules, the road conditions, or yourself as a road-user is a gamble, especially during the Christmas-New Year period when so many people are on the roads.

“Nothing takes away more from the meaning of Christmas or the holiday season than carnage, crashes or stupidity on our roads.

“Our strong LNP team is committed to reducing the road toll and it is only by working together that we can ensure a brighter and safer future.”

Commissioner Ian Stewart said motorists were encouraged to turn on headlights while driving on highways, night and day over the Christmas period as a visual reminder of the Fatal Five road safety message.

“In addition to the ‘Light your drive’ campaign to raise awareness for road safety, our officers will be out in force over the Christmas holiday period focussing on the Fatal Five,” Commissioner Stewart said.

“If you speed, drink drive, don’t pay attention, don’t wear a seatbelt or drive while tired, you will not only be caught by police, but you risk your life and the life of every other road user – and that is just not acceptable.

“The number of fatalities on our road so far this year stands at 216 today and as a community we need to take action to stop this carnage. Police cannot do this without the support of every road user.

“The community’s safety is our priority and police will continue to target law-breaking motorists.”

Motor racing champion Craig Lowndes said it was unfortunate that some drivers took unnecessary risks when travelling which put themselves, their loved ones and other roads users in danger.

“I encourage all motorists to stick to the road rules and watch out for your fellow drivers so that we can all get home to our families safely,” Mr Lowndes said.

“You may save a life, including your own, by simply turning on your headlights.”

The Christmas road safety campaign runs from December 12, 2014 to January 30, 2015.

[ENDS] 11 December 2014  

Media Contacts:  Andrew Kos 0408 912 821