Road toll costing us too much

Leaders vow Fatality Free Friday

ROAD safety begins with every driver, and the cost of inattention and complacency runs into the multiple millions.

That’s the unanimous message from the city’s civic and emergency services leaders who officially launched Fatality Free Friday.

Toowoomba Deputy Mayor Carol Taylor stood shoulder to shoulder with members of the Queensland Police, Queensland Fire and Emergency Services and Queensland Ambulance and took the pledge to be vigilant and aware on the region’s roads ahead of the annual safety initiative next Friday.

“Road safety begins with every single person and accidents on Toowoomba Regional Council roads cost $73 million per year … which is emotional cost as well as hard cost,” Cr Taylor said.

“We know that Friday is the biggest risk for road safety and as people wind down for the week and travel on the roads, Friday is the most dangerous.”

Police Inspector Sharee Cumming said Fatality Free Friday was an opportune time to remind all residents and drivers of the need to be aware and safe at all times on the roads.

The Toowoomba region’s road toll is currently at six since January, which is three more than for the same period last year.

“I think we have drivers who may be distracted on the roads, and mobile phones is just one of those things that distract us,” Inspector Cumming said.

“Complacency could be a factor that people think it won’t happen to them.”

Fatality Free Friday is a national road safety initiative which encourages all drivers to think about their behaviour behind the wheel.

It will be held next Friday outside Grand Central.

Photo: Nev Madsen SIGNING UP: Launching Fatality Free Friday are (front, from left) QFES Inspector Peter Bradow, Cr Carol Taylor and Cr James O’Shea and (back, from left) QAS Inspector Peter Baron, Mayor Paul Antonio, QFES Superintendent Eddie Lacko and QPS Inspector Sharee Cumming.