Remain alert on roads following Easter break

Queensland motorists are being congratulated for staying safe on the roads over the Easter period maintaining one of the lowest road tolls on record.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Scott Emerson said over the Easter long weekend there were three fatalities, one less than the same time last year.

“While I congratulate motorists for driving safely over the weekend, any death on our roads is a tragedy and we urge motorists to remain vigilant,” Mr Emerson said.

“Through the hard work of police and the LNP Government’s $350 million, two-year Road Safety Action Plan, the state’s road toll is 60 - four less than the same time in 2010, making it the lowest road toll on record.

“With another long weekend coming up and students returning to school this week we are urging all motorists to remember the fatal five and stay safe on the roads.”

Mr Emerson said the Government would continue to drive down the road toll through the Join the Drive campaign.

“Over the Easter period our Join the Drive to Save Lives campaign targeted drivers’ attitudes towards speeding,” he said,

“Speed contributes to more than one in five road deaths in Queensland, making it one of the biggest killers on our roads.

“Low level speeding, which is less than seven kilometres per hour over the limit, contributes to half of all speeding deaths.

“We urge all motorists to slow down by allowing plenty of time to get your destination so you avoid the temptation to rush.”

For more information about Join the Drive, visit www.qld.gov.au/jointhedrive

Audio available here: https://soundcloud.com/scottemersonmp/easter-road-toll

[ENDS] 22 April 2014

Media contact: Stephanie Shield 0418 186 625