Region failing on road deaths

THE Toowoomba region is on track for one of the worst road death tolls in recent years after five people were lost to traffic crashes in the past week.

“Unfortunately, compared to the same time last year we have had eight more fatalities,” Darling Downs Acting Inspector Regan Draheim said.

“We have had 87 deaths on our roads in the region so far this year.

“Every fatal traffic accident has a tragic result throughout the community, not just for the families involved but also for emergency services who respond to crashes, and the broader community.”

With this in mind, police, paramedics and firefighters want all road users to pay special attention today, for Fatality

Free Friday.

“We want people to make sure they are not speeding, not driving affected by drugs or alcohol, that they have seat belts on, and their children are restrained, make sure they are not driving fatigued and that they pay attention to the road,”

Insp Draheim said.

Each year traffic crashes cost the Toowoomba Regional Council about $73 million in infrastructure repairs, traffic control and staff costs.

But the human cost is far the greater.

“When I go to an accident scene, I think there is someone waiting for this person to come home, but they will never arrive,” Queensland Ambulance Service Toowoomba Officerin-Charge Jamie Taylor said.

“It is Fatality Free Friday today but let’s keep the roads fatality free every day.”

michael.nolan@thechronicle.com.au