New campaign targets low road toll

A new Easter road safety campaign targeting speeding will aim to maintain Queensland’s record low road toll.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Scott Emerson said the campaign, to start this weekend, would target drivers who thought a couple of Ks over the limit was safe.

“Through the work of police and the government’s $350 million, two-year Road Safety Action Plan, our road toll stands at 54 which is the lowest on record – 24 below the toll last year,” Mr Emerson said.

“This campaign will target half of Queenslanders who have admitted to travelling up to 7km/h over the speed limit

“Speed contributes to more than one in five road deaths in Queensland, making it one of the biggest killers on our roads and slow speed crashes contribute to half of all speeding deaths.

“We promised at the election to revitalise frontline services and innovative campaigns like this deliver on that commitment.

“About half of all speed-related crashes which result in injuries or fatalities happen at just 10km/h or less over the speed limit.

“Four people died and 183 were injured on Queensland roads during the Easter long weekend last year.”

In a road safety first, people would be able to have their name up in lights on 10 digital billboards which read, ‘No time for speeding’.

Mr Emerson said the personalised billboard would mean anyone could go online and submit their name to pledge they had no time for speeding.

“This Easter, I plead with all Queenslanders to Join the Drive to Save Lives by allowing plenty of time to get your destination so you avoid the temptation to rush,” he said.

The campaign forms coincides with a National Police-coordinated Easter enforcement campaign running from 17 to 21 April, which will focus on a reduction in speeding as one of the Fatal 5.

For more information about Join the Drive or to submit your name and message, visit www.qld.gov.au/jointhedrive

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Media contact: Stephanie Shield 0418 186 625