TERRITORIANS, PLEASE AVOID THE FATAL FIVE
SATURDAY marked another life lost on our roads. But far from being a rare occurrence, fatal crashes in 2022 have been far too frequent. There have been 13 fatalities on our roads so far this year, nine more deaths than this time in 2021. But no reason has been given for why 2022 has started in such a deadly and tragic way.
The Territory’s vast distances and wild weather make for treacherous road conditions, particularly in the wet season, so this will always play a crucial factor. Livestock and wildlife can also play a treacherous role.
But for police and emergency services, who far too frequently are having to respond to horrific crashes, it is becoming clear that far too many of our car crashes are preventable.
Not just the fatal ones either. There are many people who survive crashes but suffer lifelong ailments as a result.
For authorities, if drivers didn’t indulge in the “Fatal Five”, their jobs would be so much easier.
For the unfamiliar, the Fatal Five are:
Speeding
Drink or drug driving
Mobile phones
Not wearing seatbelts
Excessive fatigue
Earlier this month, NT Police said at least one of those factors had played a role in all fatal crashes until that point this year.
Anyone who drives along the vast expanses of the Stuart, Barkly or Arnhem highways should know it can be tempting to go a little faster than the speed limit or take a look at their phones. It can also be easy to just push on even if you’re starting to feel a little tired.
But please, just don’t. Don’t risk becoming another statistic on our roads, or another story in our paper.
The alarming speed camera figures show Territory motorists were sent more than $7m in fines last year alone, which is undoubtedly a handy boost to the NT government’s coffers.
But motorists have little right to complain when the truth of the matter is our road toll is trending in the wrong direction. This year is already deadlier than last year.
Speeding through an intersection or running a red light is a choice made either by not paying attention or by having disregard for the safety of others, let alone oneself. We need Territorians to start heeding the warnings.