Easter is a wonderful time of year to celebrate with friends and family but Queensland Police are encouraging Queenslanders to be mindful of the ‘fatal five’ this Easter.
Police Minister Mark Ryan joined Queensland Police Service (QPS) Acting Assistant Commissioner Chris Stream to launch the Easter Road Safety campaign, reminding motorists there are no excuses when it comes to road safety during these school holidays.
‘Operation Victor Easter’ will be conducted from Saturday, April 1 to Sunday, April 16, encompassing the Easter long weekend, in what is expected to be a very busy time on Queensland’s road network.
96five’s Jess Drummond spoke with Channel 9 Journalist Clare Todhunter about the Operation Victor Easter and what motorists should be aware of throughout the school holidays.
“Queensland Police are going to be targeting the entire ‘fatal five’ which means Police will be on the roads all over the state” Clare said.
“That’s highways, back roads, rural roads, suburban roads and they are vowing to deploy every officer that is available and every speed camera as well saying they have been given additional funding from the government.”
The Fatal Five
Many Queenslanders will be taking road trips into unfamiliar areas throughout the holiday period and are urged to avoid the fatal five: speeding, drink or drug driving, not wearing a seatbelt, driving tired and distracted driving.
“Distracted driving which is something that Police are pretty concerned about as people get on roads they are maybe not used to as they’re driving right around the state over this Easter break” Clare said.
Across the Easter long weekend in 2022 60 injury crashes were recorded, 3,788 traffic infringements issued and 471 motorists caught while driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Tragically, one life was also lost in Queensland in 2022.
Acting Assistant Commissioner Chris Stream encouraged motorists to drive to the conditions.
“Expect to see police conducting roadside operations and patrolling our roads, doing everything we can to reduce road trauma and keep Queenslanders safe.
“Getting stopped by police might be an inconvenience to you, but for us, it is often the best-case scenario when the alternative is responding to a fatal car crash.
“One life lost is one too many so please be careful. Every decision you make behind the wheel, counts.”
Listen to the full interview in the player above.
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