Queenslanders asked to condemn drink and drug driving

Queensland motorists are being encouraged to speak up against drink and drug driving – a major contributor to fatal and serious crashes.

Main Roads and Road Safety Acting Minister Steven Miles said drink and drug driving was today’s theme for Road Safety Week, and it was timely for the community to challenge any perception that it might be OK to drink or drug drive.

“Tragically 46 people lost their lives to crashes involving drunk drivers and riders in Queensland in 2016,” Mr Miles said.

“These deaths were preventable and, as a community, we need to take a stand and say it is completely unacceptable.

“In the five years to April 2017, more than 115,000 drink driving offences were committed in Queensland and almost 30,000 drug driving offences.”

Even though a blood alcohol (BAC) limit had been in place for more than 30 years, Mr Miles said between 2012 and 2016, 255 people died and 2700 people were taken to hospital from crashes involving drink drivers or riders.

“Alcohol, as well as prescription and over-the-counter medications and illegal drugs, can affect your judgement, vision, coordination and reflexes – all of which increase your risk of having a potentially fatal crash,” he said.

“Anyone taking prescription or over-the-counter medication should consult their doctor or pharmacist about the side-effects and impacts on driving.”

Road Safety Week is an important way to remind people they have the power to make our roads safer and help reduce fatal and serious injury crashes.

“We are asking Queenslanders to make a road safety pledge, attend an event or talk to their friends and family about the risks of drink or drug driving,” he said.

“It is important to emphasise that Queensland Road Safety Week is about encouraging the community to challenge the status quo.  Let’s stop accepting death and serious injury as the price we pay for using our roads.”

Queenslanders are encouraged to get involved in Queensland Road Safety Week by:

• Going to www.facebook.com/JoinTheDrive, uploading the Speak Up for Road Safety filter frame onto their profile picture and making a road safety pledge with the #SpeakUpSelfie hashtag. 
• Visiting www.jointhedrive.qld.gov.au/road-safety-week for event information and resources.

 Queensland Road Safety Week is a Palaszczuk Government initiative, delivered in partnership by the Department of Transport and Main Roads and the Queensland Police Service.

ENDS

Media contact:          Dominic Geiger, 0447355565