Risky drivers will get caught before someone gets hurt

15 Nov 2009

MEDIA RELEASE: 15 November 2009

A new TAC campaign is putting the Victorian community on notice that people engaging in risky driving behaviour in the lead up to Christmas will be caught before someone gets hurt.

Roads and Ports Minister Tim Pallas was today joined by Victoria Police Deputy Commissioner Ken Lay to launch the TAC's Christmas enforcement campaign, and said Victoria Police was ramping up its efforts to reduce road trauma and increasing its presence on the roads.

"The Brumby Labor Government is committed to its ambitious road safety target set out in the arrive alive strategy, which aims to cut the road toll and reduce serious injuries by 30 per cent by 2017," Mr Pallas said.

"This Christmas campaign sends a strong warning to the community that they will get caught if they break the law. It's a simple message - we will catch you before someone gets hurt.

"There will be more police on the road this holiday season, with Victoria Police dedicating more resources to fight the road toll over the summer months.

"Every Victorian killed on our roads is one too many and we don't want this Christmas to be wrecked by bloody idiots. Responsibility lies with motorists to drive safely and all road users to act responsibly and look out for each other."

Mr Pallas said the holiday period meant higher volumes of traffic on Victoria's major highways and arterial roads, with the biggest risks motorists face including the speed, fatigue, and the influence of alcohol and drugs.

"With more parties and celebrations, if you're planning to drink, the safest strategy is not to drive at all by designating a non-drinking driver, booking a taxi or use public transport," he said.

Historically the last 12 days of the year have resulted in the highest road fatalities for the year, with an average of 16 deaths.

Deputy Commissioner Lay said between 18 November and 25 December 2008, there were 38 deaths on Victoria's roads.

"It's tragic to consider that 27 families in Melbourne and 11 families in regional Victoria saw in the new year grieving for loved ones. In those same six weeks, another 902 people received serious injuries," he said.

"Every motorist should take their driving responsibility seriously, especially over the critical summer period."

The national Operation RAID starts this week, which will involve a highly visible police presence targeting impaired drivers with an emphasis on local people on local roads. This will be followed by Operation Aegis running through into the new year.

The Christmas campaign starts tonight and will involve a series of four advertisements running on TV, radio, outdoor billboards and online until early January 2010.

View the Christmas Enforcement TV campaign here