THE REGION AT A GLANCE

HEAR

HEAR your kids rumble at the Macquarie Conservatorium Holiday Drumming Workshops for kids aged 8 to 12yrs on Wednesday, January 18 from 2pm to 3pm, Thursday, January 19 from 2pm to 3pm at the Conservatorium, cnr Darling & Bultje Sts Dubbo. They’ll try exciting rhythms from Africa, South America and the Middle East and no previous experience is required.

Drums and other fun percussion instruments are all provided; all they need to do is bring their hands!

Workshops are led by Macquarie Conservatorium legendary drum master, Dale Freeman. What a great holiday activity for kids: join one workshop or do both!

The cost is $15 for both workshops or $10 for one workshop. You can download the booking form at www.macqcon.org.au.

ETC

ARE you travelling to or from your favourite holiday spot this January? Drive responsibly over this busy period when so many other drivers are also on the roads during this holiday time.

Dubbo Regional Council road safety officer Jayne Bleechmore says that holiday travellers should not rush to their destination but drive at or below the speed limit according to conditions.

“Speeding increases your chance of having a crash, and increases the risk of serious injury or death if you do crash,

“Drivers should be aware of the hazardous consequences of speeding and fatigue both on the open road and in urban areas and even small differences in speed can make a dramatic difference to the outcome of a crash,

“The casualty crash risk at 65km/h is about twice the risk at 60km/h. At 70km/h, the casualty crash risk is more than four times the risk at 60km/h.” said Ms Bleechmore.

Between 2011 and 2015, there were over 32,000 speed-related crashes in NSW. This equates to almost 17 percent of all crashes in the State.

Speeding remains our biggest killer on the roads followed by fatigue-related crashes.

“Drivers should remember to take regular rest breaks often, less than two hourly if necessary, or consider swapping drivers if possible to combat the dangers of becoming tired on long trips,” she said.

“Don’t drive long distances after a day’s work or commence driving very early to beat the traffic as your internal clock will be saying you should be asleep,” Ms Bleechmore said.

Ms Bleechmore urged drivers not to ignore the early warning signs of fatigue, which are yawning, poor concentration, tired eyes, restlessness, drowsiness, slow reactions, boredom and over-steering.

“Driving while sleep deprived, increases the risk of having a ‘microsleep’ and losing control of your vehicle. If you fall into a micro-sleep and nod off at 100 km/h, you’ll travel 100 metres in just four seconds, unconscious,” she said.

Between 2011 and 2015, there were over 175,000 fatigue-related crashes in NSW. This equates to 8 percent of all crashes in the State.