Published Thursday, 30 November, 2006 at 05:20 PM
JOINT STATEMENT
Minister for Transport and Main Roads
The Honourable Paul Lucas
Minister for Police and Corrective Services
The Honourable Judy Spence
QUEENSLAND’S WAKE UP CALL: OVER 300 LIVES LOST ON OUR ROADS
Transport Minister Paul Lucas and Police Minister Judy Spence are appealing to Queensland motorists to take extra care when they get behind the wheel.
Their pleas came today as Queensland’s road toll passed 300 and was expected to climb even higher over the Christmas holidays.
“Queensland’s road toll has already reached 302, which is nine more road deaths than at the same time last year,” Mr Lucas said.
“This should be a wake up call for all Queenslanders – regardless of whether you’re in the driver’s seat, or a passenger.
“At this rate, many more Queenslanders could die on our roads before the end of the year.
“Don’t let someone in your family become a statistic.”
Mr Lucas said the Beattie Government has wasted no time in acting on the recommendations of February’s Road Safety Summit and has already introduced tough new safety meaures.
The changes already implemented to improve road safety include:
• toughened anti-hooning laws;
• double demerit points for high speed offenders;
• zero BAC for learner and provisional drivers under 25; and
• alcohol restrictions for supervisors of learner drivers
“We're working towards legislation for alcohol interlocks for repeat high-end drink drivers and just this week we introduced the legislation for our new young driver laws and random roadside drug testing,” Mr Lucas said.
"We are working with the Queensland Police Service to introduce permanent fixed speed cameras. We are also undertaking preliminary work so that signs informing motorists about speed cameras in key, high-traffic volume speed areas can be installed."
Police Minister Judy Spence said that while the majority of motorists are responsible and law-abiding, a minority were still playing Russian roulette on our roads.
“Last year 329 people lost their lives on our roads, including 19 deaths over Christmas and New Year. More than 6,000 people suffered serious injuries,” Ms Spence said.
“This government is determined to reduce our road toll and we will do everything in our power to do so.
“That’s why next year we are introducing even further measures to curb the road toll.
“These include the start next year of random roadside drug testing, and the confiscation of vehicles driven by repeat drink drivers, unlicensed and suspended drivers and drivers of unregistered vehicles.
“We will also introduce new penalties for aggressive and distracted drivers.”
Ms Spence said police would be out in force over the Christmas holidays, targeting speedsters, drink drivers and defective vehicles.
“Fatalities can and do occur at any time, and Christmas is one of the busiest times to be on the road,” Ms Spence said.
“Once again these holidays, our Police Service will maintain a strong and visible presence on our roads with additional hours spent on traffic enforcement, but there is only so much they can do.
“We must change our attitudes towards driving and alter our behaviour.
“For those who don't, the police will be waiting.”
Media contact –
Sarah Martin 3239 6172
Robert Hoge 3237 1942
Their pleas came today as Queensland’s road toll passed 300 and was expected to climb even higher over the Christmas holidays.
“Queensland’s road toll has already reached 302, which is nine more road deaths than at the same time last year,” Mr Lucas said.
“This should be a wake up call for all Queenslanders – regardless of whether you’re in the driver’s seat, or a passenger.
“At this rate, many more Queenslanders could die on our roads before the end of the year.
“Don’t let someone in your family become a statistic.”
Mr Lucas said the Beattie Government has wasted no time in acting on the recommendations of February’s Road Safety Summit and has already introduced tough new safety meaures.
The changes already implemented to improve road safety include:
• toughened anti-hooning laws;
• double demerit points for high speed offenders;
• zero BAC for learner and provisional drivers under 25; and
• alcohol restrictions for supervisors of learner drivers
“We're working towards legislation for alcohol interlocks for repeat high-end drink drivers and just this week we introduced the legislation for our new young driver laws and random roadside drug testing,” Mr Lucas said.
"We are working with the Queensland Police Service to introduce permanent fixed speed cameras. We are also undertaking preliminary work so that signs informing motorists about speed cameras in key, high-traffic volume speed areas can be installed."
Police Minister Judy Spence said that while the majority of motorists are responsible and law-abiding, a minority were still playing Russian roulette on our roads.
“Last year 329 people lost their lives on our roads, including 19 deaths over Christmas and New Year. More than 6,000 people suffered serious injuries,” Ms Spence said.
“This government is determined to reduce our road toll and we will do everything in our power to do so.
“That’s why next year we are introducing even further measures to curb the road toll.
“These include the start next year of random roadside drug testing, and the confiscation of vehicles driven by repeat drink drivers, unlicensed and suspended drivers and drivers of unregistered vehicles.
“We will also introduce new penalties for aggressive and distracted drivers.”
Ms Spence said police would be out in force over the Christmas holidays, targeting speedsters, drink drivers and defective vehicles.
“Fatalities can and do occur at any time, and Christmas is one of the busiest times to be on the road,” Ms Spence said.
“Once again these holidays, our Police Service will maintain a strong and visible presence on our roads with additional hours spent on traffic enforcement, but there is only so much they can do.
“We must change our attitudes towards driving and alter our behaviour.
“For those who don't, the police will be waiting.”
Media contact –
Sarah Martin 3239 6172
Robert Hoge 3237 1942