Ten years of safety campaigning on the Kings Highway

Today, ACT Policing and the Kings Highway Road Safety Partnership launched their annual campaign urging drivers to plan their journey and take regular breaks while travelling between Canberra and the South Coast this summer.

Members of the Partnership gathered at the Brooks Hill Rest Area on the ACT/NSW border to mark the start of the 2018-19 campaign. Since the Partnership began in 2008, the Kings Highway road toll has halved.

The holiday season always sees an increase in the number of motorist on the King’s Highway, as people travel between Canberra and the South Coast. This surge of vehicles can give rise to congestion, which can in turn lead to risk-taking behaviour.

ACT Policing Officer in Charge Traffic Operations, Acting Station Sergeant David Wills said despite the temptation to take a chance, taking a risk to save a few minutes can kill in seconds.

“I can’t state this more plainly, with so much traffic on the Kings Highway over the holidays, a small mistake can have big consequences,” Acting Station Sergeant Wills said.

“When you’re driving, it’s not just your own life - you’re responsible for the lives of your passengers, other road users and pedestrians. Slow down, don’t drive tired, and take breaks.

“The trip between Canberra and the coast isn’t usually that long, but when it gets busy there can be delays. Don’t be afraid to take a break, or change drivers. Use the rest areas, or stop at the Driver Reviver centers”

ACT Policing and the NSW Police Force will work closely to provide a coordinated approach to traffic enforcement on the Kings Highway and will actively target dangerous driving behaviour, including speeding and drug and alcohol impaired drivers.

The Kings Highway Road Safety Partnership formed a decade ago with members from Eurobodalla Shire, Shoalhaven City and Queanbeyan Palerang Regional councils, ACT Policing, NSW Police, Roads and Maritime Services and the Justice and Community Safety Directorate with the aim of reducing road trauma on the Kings Highway.

The campaign will run until the end of January 2019.