Deputy Commissioners and Assistant Commissioners with road policing responsibility from across the country came together yesterday at a forum in Victoria to address the challenges Australia is facing on the roads.
South Australia Police Deputy Commissioner Linda Williams, who co-chaired the forum, believes it has been extremely insightful and valuable to all who attended.
“If we are going to address this at a national level it is important that a coordinated approach is taken,” South Australia Deputy Commissioner Linda Williams.
“In the interim, the community can expect to see a highly visible police presence in rural and regional settings, as well as a continued focus on alcohol and drug testing.”
Victoria Police Deputy Commissioner Wendy Steendam said there was great value in the jurisdictions all coming together to workshop the challenges and consider short-term solutions at a national level, as well as developing some longer-term collaborative strategies.
“From discussions it was clear there are some common challenges that we are all facing. A particular trend is the increasing trauma on our rural and regional roads, as well as the emergence of drug driving.”
As a direct result of this forum all police jurisdictions from across the nation have agreed to participate in a National Day of Action on Tuesday 27 August 2019.
Beyond today’s forum police will continue to work together to look at ways that data and research can be shared, as well as a coordinated communication approach for road policing messaging in the community.
