Government signs up to Fatality Free Friday
The Newman Government is sponsoring Fatality Free Friday (May 31) reinforcing the government’s ongoing commitment to curb the rising road toll.
Transport and Main Roads Minister Scott Emerson and Police and Community Safety Minister Jack Dempsey said Fatality Free Friday is another way to shine a spotlight on road safety and reduce the number of fatalities on our roads.
“Last year almost one in five fatalities occurred on a Friday in Queensland and already this year our road toll is 10 more than the same time last year,” Mr Emerson said.
“While Fatality Free Friday aims for no road deaths on May 31, we want motorists to keep the message top of mind every time they get behind the wheel, 365 days a year, to reduce the carnage on our roads.
“For the month of May, we will be encouraging members of the public to sign an inflatable car which will be touring Queensland on a regional roadshow.
“The inflatable car will appear at TMR Customer Service Centres across the state in regional areas, from Toowoomba all the way up to Cairns and inland to Mt Isa.”
Mr Emerson said this year’s theme “don’t gamble with your life at level crossings” supported Queensland Rail’s current safety campaign.
“Running the gauntlet at these crossings is simply not worth the risk so I urge drivers to obey the signs and signals to avoid tragedy,” he said.
In 2012, there were 400 reported near-misses at railway crossings across the Queensland Rail network, down from 472 the previous year.
Mr Dempsey encouraged everyone to heed the Fatal Five messages and get behind Fatality Free Friday.
“Let’s all make a commitment to support a Fatality Free Friday on 31 May and to drive safely all year round,” Mr Dempsey said.
“We have already had 96 deaths on Queensland roads this year which is far too many and I urge all Queenslanders to do their bit to stop that number from going up.
“Police will not tolerate those who blatantly disregard the road rules and the Fatal Five of drink driver, speeding, not wearing a seat belt, driving fatigued and driving distracted.”
All Queenslanders are encouraged to make their pledge, either by signing one of the inflatable cars touring the state, or online at www.fatalityfreefriday.com
For more information:
Road safety pledge words
I promise that on Friday, 31 May 2013:
- I will remind my family, friends and workmates to take extra care on the roads.
- I will put my lights on for safety.
- When behind the wheel or riding a motorcycle or pushbike, I will be mindful to drive as safely as I can and follow the road rules.
- I will be patient with other road users, including cyclists and pedestrians.
- I will not speed and I will not drink and drive.
- I will take care at level crossings.
- I will slow down in the wet and drive to suit the conditions.
- I will not tailgate other drivers and I will look as far ahead as possible.
- I will wear my seatbelt.
- I will not use my mobile phone while driving.
- I will set a good example to my passengers by driving calmly and safely.
- I will take care as a pedestrian when crossing the road or street.
Statistics
|
Fatalities as a result of crashes, by day of week, Queensland, 2007 to 2012 |
||||
| Day of week |
2007–2011 |
2012 |
||
|
No. |
% |
No. |
% |
|
| Monday |
153 |
10 |
29 |
10 |
| Tuesday |
166 |
11 |
35 |
13 |
| Wednesdays |
208 |
14 |
43 |
15 |
| Thursdays |
226 |
15 |
33 |
12 |
| Friday |
233 |
15 |
54 |
19 |
| Saturday |
290 |
19 |
46 |
16 |
| Sunday |
261 |
17 |
40 |
14 |
| TOTAL FATALITIES |
1,537 |
100 |
280 |
100 |
|
Railway crossing incidents – 1 January 2009 to 31 December 2012 Near Misses: Train to Motor Vehicle or Pedestrian |
||||
|
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
|
| SouthEast Queensland |
358 |
337 |
346 |
223 |
| Gympie/Sunshine Coast |
17 |
6 |
6 |
3 |
| WideBay |
30 |
5 |
7 |
6 |
| Central Queensland |
16 |
10 |
12 |
11 |
| Mackay/Whitsunday |
15 |
16 |
8 |
14 |
| North Queensland |
39 |
36 |
24 |
42 |
| Far North Queensland/Tablelands |
33 |
14 |
9 |
20 |
| SouthWest Queensland |
41 |
31 |
53 |
71 |
| Central West |
3 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
| North WestQueensland |
4 |
8 |
3 |
5 |
| TOTAL |
556 |
466 |
472 |
400 |