|
Emergency services urge safe driving |
|
Written by Administrator
|
|
Thursday, 22 December 2005 |
Police,
ambulance and fire offices are urging motorists to drive responsibly
over the Christmas break. Maleny Ambulance officer in charge Steve
Tooley said: Police, fire and ambulance offices are working together
to reduce the number of peoplekilled on Hinterland roads during the
festive season.
Speed, fatigue, inexperience and failure to wear seatbelts are contributing factors to most serious accidents, Steve said. "We are seeing a disturbing trend of attending horrific accidents where, young men especially, are driving and the consumption of alcohol is a contributing factor," he said.
| Queensland Fire and Rescue Service captain Peter Hopper, Maleny Ambulance?s officer in charge Steve Tooley,top, and Maleny Police Sergent Gary Hicks are asking motoriststo take extrasafety on the roads this festive season.
|
Maleny Police Station sergent Gary Hicks said that people can prevent unnecessary death through driving responsibly. "Accidents can be easily prevented by drivers taking the time to ensure their motor vehicle is in good working order, by not consuming alcohol before driving and making sure you take regular breaks during long trips," Sergeant Ricks said.
Queensland Fire and Rescue Service (QFRS) captain Peter Hopper said: "Firefighters were braced for a busy holiday season, but said accidents could be avoided if people used concentration and common sense". "One of the most difficult things we do as firefighters is attend these horrific road accidents and have to cut badly or even fatally injured people from their cars," Peter said.
Ambulance officer in charge Steve Tooley said: "It is disturbing enough for professional emergency personnel to attend these devastating scenes let alone our wonderful group of volunteer honorary Ambulance officers, firefighters and SES who have, over recent weeks, been exposed to several horrific road accidents all of which were preventable".
"I ask all parents and role models, especially for young people, in our community to look after family members and friends and do not let them drive while influenced by alcohol," Steve said.
People should refuse to enter motor vehicles driven by people who may drive in a dangerous manner and ask a family member or friend to pick them up instead."
Frustrated mum urges parent to monitor driving
There are so many children out there driving without licences, says a frustrated Maleny Mum, who is horrified at how our young people are putting their lives at risk.
"Where are the parents and what are they doing about it?" she said. "I heard about another accident involving young kids recently and I thought this is just not right."
"I know a few personally who are driving without a licence. Kids are not respecting their parents or authority. People don't seem to respect the family unit or something. Parents need to sit and talk to their children about all sorts of things that are going on in their life."
"I would be very upset if I knew my child had been driving illegally and putting other people's lives in danger. I think parents need to be a lot more pro active. They need to ask some questions. What are you doing? Who are you going with? And how are you getting there?," she said.
Discussion paper
Concerned about the deaths of young people on our roads, the State has initiated community discussion about measures to reduce and ideally eliminate the unacceptable youth road toll.
"Young drivers are two and a half times more likely to be killed in road crashes than drivers of other ages," said Member for Glass House Carolyn Male. The state has released a discussion paper on several proposals.
Proposals include holding a learner licence for at least 12 months and needing to record 120 hours of supervised driving experience in a logbook. Opinions and feedback are invited until March 10. For a copy of the discussion paper phone 1800 681 636 or visit www.transport.qld.gov.au/youngdrivers.
|
|
Last Updated ( Friday, 01 September 2006 )
|
Range News 2005 - ON 
