Tragedy continues to unfold on roads across Queensland.
So far this year 128 lives have been lost. That is 128 families with an empty seat at the dinner table, a circle of friends who won’t share the same amount of laughter and a community with a hole in their network.
I read the reports of every fatal crash my officers attend and investigate.
Each time I place myself in the shoes of my officers who are there to pick up the pieces. They see cans of alcohol spread across the scene, a body metres from the car because they weren’t wearing a seatbelt, they see a mobile phone still open on that message that couldn’t wait but will now never be delivered, instead replaced by a message we never want to deliver.
That’s been our job 128 times this year.
I also read the comments from our community when we talk about making our roads safer.
Each time I see people not taking responsibility for their actions. I see excuses, people blaming things outside their control instead of looking at what they can change to make our roads safer.
Crashes are preventable. Too many of them this year could have been avoided by simple decisions that are made by you – the driver.
Sometimes you may see us and sometimes you may not. While our fleet of marked cars and motorcycles is a visual reminder to obey the road rules, our unmarked fleet monitor driving behaviours when there’s no obvious deterrent – this is the only way to get through to some people.
Roads across our state vary in their conditions and the weather can present more challenges but ultimately it comes down to driving to the conditions you are presented with.
Slow down and pay extra attention to navigating the road safely and never cross flooded roads.
My challenge to you is to find what motivates you to be a better driver.
Have one less drink to stay under the legal limit so you can enjoy many more drinks with your friends.
Ignore the messages on your phone, they will still be there when you have finished your journey.
Slow down and drive to conditions so you can enjoy making more memories with your family.
We won’t be on every road, all the time. We aren’t the ones driving your vehicle. The decisions you make as a driver, matter.
Safer roads start with you.
You can be the difference.
