New campaign shows life-changing consequences of drink driving

A drink-driving campaign hitting the airwaves this weekend will send a sobering message to Queenslanders about the life-changing consequences of drink driving.

Minister for Transport and Main Roads Paul Lucas today described the advertising as ‘confronting’ and warned it would be backed by tough enforcement and legal measures.

“The State Government is serious about reducing drink-driving, and we’re backing this campaign with tough action targeting those who continue to risk lives on our roads,” Mr Lucas said.

“This year we have more police and more unmarked patrols than ever before, and these officers will conduct an estimated 2.8 million random breath tests.

“The new advertising campaign will reinforce the message that drink driving has serious consequences and that we won’t tolerate it.”

Mr Lucas said the latest campaign was built around the story of Rockhampton resident Nick Benjamin, who became a T4 paraplegic after crashing his car when he failed to properly negotiate a bend while driving after having too many drinks.

“In the advertisement, Nick speaks frankly about what he did and the consequences, Mr Lucas said.

“The story is true and Nick's injuries are real.

“The results of drink driving can be devastating, and there is no clearer reminder of these consequences than Nick’s story.

“Between the beginning of August in 2005 and the end of July last year, 83 people died as a result of crashes involving drink-driving.

“This is just the tip of the iceberg. Thousands of drink drivers are hospitalised or left with devastating injuries each year.

“Too many Queenslanders are continuing to put themselves and others at risk, so it's time to heed the warning of this young man who made a bad choice and is paying a terrible price for that lapse in judgement.”

The television commercial, which has been endorsed by the Spinal Injuries Association, will be complemented with radio and bus shelter advertising. The campaign starts next Sunday (February 11) and runs until March.

Mr Lucas said the State Government had introduced a range of tough new measures in the past year to improve road safety, including double demerit points for high speedsters, and immediate licence suspensions for high risk and repeat drink drivers.

“New legislation introduced in December last year enabled us to immediately suspend the licences of repeat and high level drink-drivers.

“Too many lives have been ruined by the reckless behaviour of individuals who drive over the limit.”

Media enquiries: Robert Hoge: 3237 1942