Published Wednesday, 18 July, 2007 at 01:21 PM
Minister for Police and Corrective Services
The Honourable Judy Spence
ROAD TOLL COULD HIT 400 IF DRIVERS DON'T TAKE CARE
Queensland’s annual road toll has reached 200 and could exceed 400 for the first time in 12 years if drivers don’t take more responsibility, Police Minister Judy Spence said today.
The state’s road toll currently stands at 200 which is 32 more than this time last year.
“People are dying on Queensland’s roads every day and the state is in real danger of recording more than 400 road fatalities for the first time since 1995,” Ms Spence said.
“I am most concerned by the number of deaths in regional areas where 172 people have died which is 30 more than last year.
“The North Coast, Central and South Eastern regions in particular have all recorded substantially more deaths than last year.
“Police statistics show that speed and inattention have been the two major contributing factors in fatalities on regional roads.
“Drink driving and driver inexperience have also contributed to a number of deaths.
“Drivers need to slow down and pay more attention to help reduce the senseless loss of life.”
Ms Spence said the Beattie Government is doing all it can to help reduce the road toll.
“We have introduced tough new licensing restrictions on young drivers and police can now confiscate the vehicles of people who repeatedly drink drive, drive while unlicensed, disqualified or unregistered or drive illegally modified cars,” Ms Spence said.
“These tough new laws send a strong message to dangerous drivers, that there will be tough consequences for their deadly behaviour.
“However, if we are going to reduce the road toll, all drivers need to take more responsibility for their actions on the road.”
Queensland Police Service Assistant Commissioner Operations Support Command, George Nolan said police are committed to identifying means of reducing the road toll and injury crashes.
“If we based our analysis on trends identified in historical data which shows the second half of the year is worse than the first six months, then the road toll will most likely reach 400 this year,” Assistant Commissioner Nolan said.
“We are endeavouring to put a stop to these crashes. We are looking at every possible reason why people are dying or being involved in injury crashes. Police officers across the state are doing their bit – they need drivers and road users to play a part also.”
Media contacts: Minister’s Office: Troy Davies 3239 6218, 0439 673 287
Police Media: 3015 2444
The state’s road toll currently stands at 200 which is 32 more than this time last year.
“People are dying on Queensland’s roads every day and the state is in real danger of recording more than 400 road fatalities for the first time since 1995,” Ms Spence said.
“I am most concerned by the number of deaths in regional areas where 172 people have died which is 30 more than last year.
“The North Coast, Central and South Eastern regions in particular have all recorded substantially more deaths than last year.
“Police statistics show that speed and inattention have been the two major contributing factors in fatalities on regional roads.
“Drink driving and driver inexperience have also contributed to a number of deaths.
“Drivers need to slow down and pay more attention to help reduce the senseless loss of life.”
Ms Spence said the Beattie Government is doing all it can to help reduce the road toll.
“We have introduced tough new licensing restrictions on young drivers and police can now confiscate the vehicles of people who repeatedly drink drive, drive while unlicensed, disqualified or unregistered or drive illegally modified cars,” Ms Spence said.
“These tough new laws send a strong message to dangerous drivers, that there will be tough consequences for their deadly behaviour.
“However, if we are going to reduce the road toll, all drivers need to take more responsibility for their actions on the road.”
Queensland Police Service Assistant Commissioner Operations Support Command, George Nolan said police are committed to identifying means of reducing the road toll and injury crashes.
“If we based our analysis on trends identified in historical data which shows the second half of the year is worse than the first six months, then the road toll will most likely reach 400 this year,” Assistant Commissioner Nolan said.
“We are endeavouring to put a stop to these crashes. We are looking at every possible reason why people are dying or being involved in injury crashes. Police officers across the state are doing their bit – they need drivers and road users to play a part also.”
Media contacts: Minister’s Office: Troy Davies 3239 6218, 0439 673 287
Police Media: 3015 2444