Motorists have been reminded of the safe driving message as the official Christmas road toll period begins tomorrow (23 December).

Last year two people were killed in crashes on Tasmania's roads during the reporting period, and over the past 5 years, 12 people have lost their lives during this time of the year.

Tasmania Police will be reinforcing those well known road safety messages through Operation Crossroads; an initiative of Police Commissioners in Australia and New Zealand to reduce road trauma.

In Tasmania the Operation involves a highly visible presence on highways and arterial roads. There will be random breath test operations, drug testing, road safety cameras to detect speeding, as well as mobile speed devices and breath testing.   Automatic Number Plate Recognition cameras on police vehicles can detect unregistered or stolen vehicles and vehicles owned by unlicenced drivers.

“Wear seatbelts, don't speed, don't drive when you've been drinking or taking drugs, pay attention and drive to the road and weather conditions,” said the Commissioner of Police, Darren Hine.

Fatigue is a hidden danger on the road.  Tiredness has a significant impact on the ability to drive safely and can be a factor in a serious or fatal crash.

“Plan your journey to include rest stops every couple of hours and share the driving if possible.”

“They are common sense messages that could save your life.  Every road user must take responsibility for road safety and Police will be focusing activities on high risk driver behaviour,” said Mr Hine. 

The Christmas – New Year road toll reporting period begins 00:01 on 23 December and concludes at 23:59 on 3 January. 

The national and state road toll is updated daily at:
www.anzpaa.org.au/current-initiatives/australian-road-safety-campaign

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