Taking extra care for the new year

Police are urging motorists to capitalise on the promising start to the holiday period by taking extra care over the new year break.

"We have focussed very tightly on drink and drug driving in the lead up to the holiday period," said Superintendent Paula Rose, National Manager - Road Policing.

"We stopped over 150,000 drivers leading up to Xmas and this has brought the safety message up close and personal for many people.

This, along with the new legislation introduced at the end of the year has heightened road safety in the minds of the driving public.

We also want drivers to remember the other critical factors of speed, safety belts, fatigue and patience that can make so much difference to everyone's safety.

We are delighted that the holiday period has started so well, even though even one death is one too many," she said.

The holiday road toll now stands at 3. The lowest Christmas holiday period road toll on record occurred during 1959/60 when 8 deaths were recorded. 9 deaths were recorded in 1966/67.

The highest Christmas holiday period road toll on record occurred during 1972/73 when 37 deaths were recorded.

During the 2008/2009 Christmas holiday period there were 22 fatal crashes and 310 reported injury crashes. Those crashes resulted in 25 deaths, 82 serious injuries and 373 minor injuries.

Three thoughts for safe driving over the holidays

• Road safety is everyone's responsibility

• Don't drink and drive

• Share the roads with care

ENDS

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