Police are working towards driving down the number of lives impacted by crashes on our roads through enforcement and education across the Sunshine Coast as part of Queensland Road Safety Week, launching today.
The initiative, running from 26-30 August, focuses on the theme of 'One Team' to highlight how all road users can work together with police and the wider community to strengthen everyone's safety on the roads.
The Sunshine Coast district has tragically lost seven people on the roads this year.
Sadly, for every life lost there is an additional 26 people who receive serious injury from road trauma.
Sunshine Coast District Officer Superintendent Craig Hawkins said every decision we make behind the wheel counts.
"Across our highways, local roads and beaches, road safety is always a key priority for my colleagues and I," Superintendent Hawkins said.
"Be it through Operation Suppress, Operation Whiskey Annex, Queensland Road Safety Week or everyday policing, police will continue to enforce and educate to work towards making our roads a safer place.
"Police will be conducting high visibility and covert traffic enforcement operations across the Sunshine Coast this week, and will be engaging with the community to talk about how we can all strengthen our road safety.
"I urge everyone to be aware of and understand the Fatal Five - speeding, drink driving, failing to wear seatbelts and driving while tired or distracted - all of which are major contributors to lives lost on our roads and avoidable.
"Sunshine Coast police are committed to reducing the trauma on our roads, but we can't do that without the help of those who are actually behind the steering wheel."
Sunshine Coast Highway Patrol Officer in Charge Senior Sergeant Shane Panoho said the power is in your hands to strengthen the safety of yourself, your passengers and other road users.
"My colleagues and I see far too much road trauma and dangerous driving on our road each time we come to work," Senior Sergeant Panoho said.
"Some aspects of a traffic crash are out of your control, but many factors that contribute to a crash are avoidable and in your own hands.
"Things like speeding, mobile phone use, or not wearing a seatbelt are choices that are completely your own so I urge you to not only consider your own safety, but how your decisions can have a life-changing impact on those around you.
"Road trauma not only impacts those directly involved in a traffic crash, but also the emergency services responders, witnesses, and loved ones of those who are hurt.
"Though police will continue with enforcement and education, it's up to you to ensure you're driving to the speed limit, wearing a seatbelt, awake, aware and attentive."
To learn more about road safety and QPS' initiatives to help make Queensland's road's safer, visit: www.police.qld.gov.au/initiatives/road-safety
The Queensland Police Service is committed to reducing number of lives lost on our roads.
Data shows that serious crashes can be significantly reduced when drivers recognise and avoid the 'Fatal Five' behaviours: speeding, drink and drug driving, not wearing seatbelts, fatigue and distraction.
Road safety is everyone's responsibility. Learn more about staying safe on Queensland roads: https://www.police.qld.gov.au/initiatives/fatal-five-staying-safe-roads
