'Tis the Season to be Careful

'Tis the Season to be Careful

Police are encouraging motorists to take care and not endanger themselves this Christmas by consuming alcohol or drugs before they get behind the wheel.
"Drink and drug driving are the key areas Police are focusing on this year, along with the new Road User Rules and illegal street racing legislation," said Superintendent Paula Rose, National Manager - Road Policing.

" Consuming alcohol or drugs impairs driving performance and affects driving behaviour and the consequences can make for a tragic holiday season for many families. This is what we want to avoid if we possibly can," she said.

In 2008 driver alcohol/drugs was a contributing factor in 103 fatal traffic crashes, 441 serious injury crashes and 1,156 minor injury crashes. These crashes resulted in 119 deaths, 582 serious injuries and 1,726 minor injuries.

Police will be out in force over the holiday period and will prosecute every driver caught under the influence of alcohol or drugs to deter unsafe driving which puts lives at risk.

ENDS