Festive memories the focus of new Christmas road safety campaign

Nostalgic festive memories of Christmas past will be the focus of Queensland’s new Christmas road safety advertising campaign announced today.  

Road Safety Minister Mark Bailey and Police Minister Mark Ryan joined with emergency services’ representatives today to also launch this year’s police campaign targeting the Fatal Five.

Minister Bailey said the new ‘Memories’ road safety advertising campaign, which will begin this weekend through to January, asks Queenslanders to remember this Christmas and holiday season for all the right reasons.

“The campaign which asks “what will Christmas 2016 be remembered for?”, features a powerful ad with real footage from family Christmases, concluding with the sobering image of a road crash,” Mr Bailey said.

“We want everyone to arrive at their destination safely and enjoy a happy festive season with family and friends.

“Road safety is everyone’s responsibility and our ‘Memories’ campaign, which will continue over key holiday periods, reminds us that we all have a role to play.”

Minister Ryan said this year’s QPS campaign which starts at midnight tonight would involve a highly visible police presence and a series of targeted traffic operations rolled out across the state.

“The summer holiday period is no doubt the busiest time of the year on our roads as Queenslanders are out and about celebrating the festive season and travelling to visit family and friends,” Minister Ryan said. 

“The Palaszczuk Government is absolutely determined to reduce the carnage on Queensland roads and that is why motorists can expect to see extra police targeting high-risk drivers during the campaign.

“Our Christmas wish would be to repeat this year’s Easter long weekend where the state recorded no fatalities, the lowest amount in more than 20 years.” 

Deputy Commissioner Steve Gollschewski said 33 people lost their lives while more than 2000 people were injured in traffic crashes during last year’s campaign.

“We know the devastating impact traffic crashes have across the community and we must do everything we can to reduce the trauma on our roads,” Deputy Commissioner Gollschewski said.

“No matter where you are in Queensland, there will be an increased police presence on the road networks with officers particularly targeting impaired driving and speeding.

“Throughout the campaign, we’ll be rolling out a series of intelligence driven traffic operations such as random driver testing for alcohol and drugs and speed enforcement on roads and highways in key high-risk areas.”

The 50-day QPS Christmas Road Safety Campaign will be conducted over four phases, starting December 9 and finishing on January 27.

The TMR ‘Memories’ Christmas road safety campaign will feature on TV, outdoor advertising, press, online and through key events such as the South Bank Christmas Carols and key sporting events such as the Brisbane Bullets New Years game and the Brisbane Heat Big Bash through January.

The campaign also encourages people to get involved via social media by sharing their holiday memories and encouraging their family and friends to drive safely this holiday season.

FAST FACTS

• 227 people lost their lives on Queensland roads this year (down 4 on last year)
• 1 in 4 road fatalities involved a speeding driver (2015)
• 1 in 5 road fatalities involved a driver under the influence of drugs or alcohol (2015)
• 33 fatalities and 2,068 people injured from traffic crashes during last year’s 50-day campaign
• 624,798 RBTs and 9,287 drug tests were conducted during last year’s campaign
• $365 and three demerit points is the current first offence fine for using your mobile phone while operating a vehicle.

Media contacts 

Minister Ryan’s Office:                                                                    Ph: (07) 3035 8300

Minister Bailey’s Office:                                                                  Ph: 0428 079 640

Police Media:                                                                                     Ph: (07) 3015 2444