State supports Fatality Free Friday

Queenslanders are being urged to support Fatality Free Friday (May 30) in a bid to further drive down the road toll.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Scott Emerson and Police, Fire and Emergency Services Minister Jack Dempsey said the Queensland Government was supporting the initiative for a second year, delivering on a key election promise.

“This campaign highlights road safety and enables every Queenslander to make a personal commitment to reducing the number of fatalities on our roads,” Mr Emerson said.

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

“The road toll is 51, 24 below what it was this time last year however any fatality on our roads is a tragedy which is why we are doing all we can to stop the carnage on our roads.

“The campaign focuses on keeping our roads fatality-free on May 30, but we want drivers to keep the safety message at the top of their mind every time they get behind the wheel, 365 days a year.”

Police, Fire and Emergency Services Minister Jack Dempsey said as part of the campaign Queenslanders would have the opportunity to sign an inflatable car.

“Similar to last year, inflatable cars will tour the state and I’m encouraging all Queenslanders to pledge their support for Fatality Free Friday,”Mr Dempsey said.

Mr Dempsey said that the Queensland Police Service (QPS) would be active on Queensland’s roads to ensure driver safety from Cairns to Coolangatta.

“The Queensland Police Service will be targeting the Fatal Five as we approach Fatality Free Friday and the Easter school holidays,” he said.

“Road safety is everyone’s future and every driver should remember to take care as families head onto the roads across the state.

“We are working hard to drive down the road toll through campaigns like this as well as our Join the Drive campaign and delivering our election promise of 1,100 additional police on the beat.”

The initiative was launched ahead of Easter, when the Government will launch the next phase of its Join the Drive to Save Lives campaign targeting drivers’ attitudes towards speeding.

All Queenslanders are encouraged to make their pledge, either by signing one of the inflatable cars touring the state, or online at www.fatalityfreefriday.com

[ENDS] 3 April 2014

Media contact: Minister Emerson – Stephanie Shield 0418 186 625

Minister Dempsey – Andrew Blow 0408 912 821