Police join forces to target ‘Fatal Five’ dangerous driving behaviours this holiday period

Police across Australia and New Zealand are co-ordinating efforts to target the ‘Fatal Five’ dangerous driving behaviours on Australia and New Zealand roads this Christmas/New Year holiday period to reduce fatalities and serious injury.

ANZPAA CEO Jon White said: “Not only are risk-taking drivers over-represented in serious road trauma, they also put other road users at risk. We encourage everyone to make the right choices to stay safe on our roads this holiday period. Avoid the Fatal Five: speeding, not wearing seatbelts, drink and drug driving, distracted driving and driving while fatigued.”

Mr White’s comments coincide with the launch of the eighth Operation Crossroads and the official start of the holiday road toll counting period which begins this Tuesday (23 December – 3 January 2015).

“Police will be out in force to emphasise that risky driving is not only socially and morally unacceptable, but it also carries serious consequences,” said Mr White. “If you’re caught committing offences on the roads by police you face a possible suspension or cancellation of your driver’s licence, demerit points, fines, impoundment of your vehicle, or even imprisonment in more serious cases. The ramifications have the potential to negatively impact on your employment opportunities, finances, and family and social life well into the future,” said Mr White.

Most of the Fatal Five applies to two-wheeled road users – motor cyclists and cyclists – and pedestrians, with often worse consequences for these road users regarding fatalities or serious injury.

“The holiday season is a time for celebration and relaxation with family and friends. If everyone does their bit to reduce the immense pain and suffering inflicted on individuals, families and communities by deaths, injuries and disabilities caused by – often avoidable – road related incidents, we’ll give ourselves a much better chance to enjoy a truly happy and prosperous new year,” Mr White said.

In 2013, road accidents claimed the lives of 254 people in New Zealand and 1,193 Australians. Although road fatalities are generally decreasing, annual road injury costs are still estimated to reach around $3.8 billion in New Zealand and up to $27 billion in Australia.

The Australia New Zealand Policing Advisory Agency (ANZPAA) is the agency that serves Police Commissioners in Australia and New Zealand. Operation Crossroads is a co-ordinated cross-jurisdictional initiative of Australia and New Zealand Police Commissioners that aims to reduce death and injury on our roads.

Operation Crossroads (23 December 2014 – 3 January 2015) is a joint initiative of Police Commissioners across Australia and New Zealand. Operation Crossroads seeks to reduce road trauma by raising awareness of road safety issues, in particular the ‘big five’ – drink/drug driving, speeding, fatigue, distraction and seatbelts. Operation Crossroads also supports the UN Decade of Action for Road Safety which was launched in May 2011.

To find out more information on Operation Crossroads please visit www.anzpaa.org.au

For road safety statistics please go to www.anzpaa.org.au

ENDS

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