Media Release
Appeal to road users
Police are appealing for all road users to take greater care after the loss of 10 lives on Queensland roads in the past seven days.
At midnight last night the Queensland road toll was 213, which is 25 higher than the same time last year.
“That’s a rate of more than one fatality a day in 2009,” Superintendent Col Campbell, State Traffic Support Branch, said.
The toll has since risen to 214 after a motorcyclist was killed in a collision with a car at Banyo about 4am. It was the 46th motorcycle fatality in Queensland this year.
Superintendent Campbell said all road users needed to take responsibility for their actions including drivers, passengers, family members and friends.
“No one is immune to the potential for tragedy on our roads.”
Superintendent Campbell said the Queensland Police Service continued to promote road safety and compliance through a highly visible police presence on Queensland roads.
“But the onus is also on the driver, passengers, family members or friends to ensure Queensland’s roads become safer.
“While investigations are ongoing into this week’s fatal crashes, initial indications are that speed, not wearing a seatbelt, and not paying attention to the road conditions were contributing factors in many of them.
“The QPS is throwing every available resource into enforcing road safety, but we cannot be everywhere at once. Every person who climbs behind the wheel needs to realise they have their lives, and the lives of others, in their hands. Its about time that ever driver accepts their responsibility and drives to the rules.
Media and Public Affairs Branch
07 3015 2444
Last Updated: 31/07/2009