Emergency services push to save lives
Queensland Road Safety Week launched
EMERGENCY services gathered in Toowoomba for the official launch of Queensland Road Safety Week.
The launch was held at Northpoint Shopping Centre yesterday and had every branch of the emergency services on display to the public.
Queensland Fire and Emergency Service Chief Superintendent Megan Stiffler said the week was an opportunity for emergency services to raise awareness for driver behaviour.
“A lot of the incidents of road crashes we go to are avoidable,” Chief Supt Stiffler said.
“If we can get the public really thinking about how they’re driving and the conditions they’re driving under and pay attention to the fatal five, we think we could really impact and lessen our response.”
Queensland Police Service Superintendent Mark Kelly said there had been too many fatalities in the district for the year.
“We have lost 10 people to fatal car crashes in this district which includes the greater Toowoomba area, the Lockyer Valley, Warwick and right down to Goondiwindi and the border,” Supt Kelly said.
“We lost five people last year around the same time. Five is still too many, one is too many, so what we are doing is imploring people to be safe on the roads.”
Emergency services will engage with the community during the week with a variety of events held around Toowoomba to raise awareness of road safety.
Supt Kelly said road accidents had an effect on everyone involved including emergency services.
“Emergency services aren’t robots and they see people pass away which does have its toll,” he said.
“It’s important everyone remembers the Fatal 5 while they’re driving and to make sure they get home safe.”
For more information about Queensland Road Safety Week visit jointhedrive.qld.gov.au.