Month five the time to think of the Fatal Five
Road users should always be aware of what impact their behaviour can have on road safety as ACT Policing issues a reminder about the five highest contributing factors to fatal incidents on ACT roads.
Officer in Charge of Traffic Operations, Action Station Sergeant David Wills said Canberra’s road users need to be more aware of what they are doing when driving on ACT roads.
“There hasn’t been a day in the first four months of 2019 where police haven’t seen someone endangering their safety, and other road users by ignoring at least one of the Fatal Five factors,” Acting Station Sergeant Wills said.
“We want drivers to do the right thing, but unfortunately we’ve already issued hundreds of infringement notices for these offences this year.
“It’s so easy to increase your chances of staying alive. Don’t speed. Don’t drive distracted by your phone or anything else in your car. Don’t use your car if you’re impaired by drugs or alcohol. Wear your seat belt, and do the right thing at intersections.”
ACT Policing figures show that police issued more than 2761 Traffic Infringement Notices (TINs) or charges for traffic offences relating to the Fatal Five in the first four months of 2019:
- 319 for alcohol impaired driving and 312 for drug impaired driving
- 1403 for speeding
- 61 for not wearing a seatbelt
- 306 for offences at intersections; and
- 360 for driving while distracted.
In addition to these offences, Roads ACT received reports of at least 1091 collisions at intersections so far this year.
There has been one fatality on ACT roads in 2019.
This campaign forms part of the ACT Road Safety Strategy 2011-2020 which prioritises a Vision Zero approach to road safety.
Media enquiries
Police Media — (02) 5126 9070, act-police-media@afp.gov.au