Released 21/12/2018
Minister for Road Safety Shane Rattenbury today joined NSW Government and local council representatives, and members of ACT Policing and NSW Police, to launch the Kings Highway Partnership road safety campaign for 2018-19.
“Road safety is something we always need to keep front of mind, especially during the holiday season when we are in a rush and fatigued by the year. Speeding and inattention can come at a serious cost, and it puts your life and the lives of other road users at risk,” Mr Rattenbury said.
“I urge Canberrans to think of their loved ones this holiday season and drive with patience and focus along the Kings Highway—the region’s busiest holiday route. If we all reduce our speed we can make sure everyone gets to their holiday destination or family celebration safely.”
Speeding and driver fatigue are the leading cause of motor vehicle crashes on the Kings Highway, along which there were 31 casualty crashes including 2 deaths last year. In the first quarter of 2018 there were 9 casualty crashes including one fatality.
According to the month-by-month break down of crash statistics on Kings Highway from 2015-2018, there is an increase in crashes in the warmer months, with the October and January holiday periods emerging as peak months during last 4 years.
As part of the campaign, Canberrans travelling along the Kings Highway in December and January will see frequent safety reminders on roadside banners, and signage at petrol pumps, public toilets, retail food outlets and driver reviver stations.
Increased police, mobile speed cameras and on-road vehicle inspections will be visibly making sure everyone is doing the right thing this summer.
“Police and emergency services do an amazing job to help keep our community safe on the road over the Christmas and New Year period, but we all need to do our part to help us strive for “Vision Zero” – that is no deaths or serious injuries on our roads,” Mr Rattenbury said.
“Make sure your car is roadworthy – check your tyres and brakes, and don’t overload your vehicle or trailer, ensuring everything is properly secured. A good rest before getting behind the wheel is also crucial, as is stopping for a rest at one of the driver reviver stations along the way. Your licence, vehicle registration and insurance should also all be up-to-date before you leave,” Mr Rattenbury said.
The Kings Highway Partnership campaign theme for 2018-19 is ‘Reduce Your Speed on the Kings Highway this Summer….Your Family is Counting on It’.
Crashes on Kings Highway by Month for Queanbeyan Palerang Regional Council and Eurobodalla Shire Council from 2015-2018**
Year | Jan | Feb | March | April | May | June | July | Aug | Sept | Oct | Nov | Dec | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2015 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 39 |
2016 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 25 |
2017 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 31 |
2018 | 1 | 6 | 2 | 9 | |||||||||
Total excl 2018 | 12 | 3 | 2 | 12 | 10 | 7 | 6 | 8 | 8 | 14 | 7 | 7 | 104 |
Total | 13 | 9 | 4 |
* Exclude crashes in Qbyn CBD and Canberra Avenue/Monaro St/Bungendore Road
** 2018 – crash data only available up to end of March.
- Statement ends -
Shane Rattenbury, MLA | Media Releases
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