The Mount Isa community is encouraged to be mindful of behaviour behind the wheel during the 2020 Queensland Road Safety Week, running from August 24 - 28.
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This year, members of the community are invited to sign up road safety online.
Queenslanders are encouraged to display road safety messages on available signage and submit it to the StreetSmarts website where they will be displayed throughout the week.
Officers from the Mount Isa Road Policing unit will also be out and about throughout the week conducting high visibility mobile and static enforcement activities focusing on drivers committing Fatal Five-related and dangerous driving offences.
Mount Isa officer in charge Snr Sgt Renee Hanrahan said that on average 25 people were killed and 1235 seriously injured each year on Queensland roads as a result of crashes where driver distraction played a part.
"Using a mobile phone while driving multiplies your risk of a serious crash by four. If you use your phone illegally while driving, you're just as dangerous as a drink driver," Snr Sgt Hanrahan said.
It is illegal to hold your phone in your hand to text, talk, receive a call or perform any other function while driving or riding, even when you're stopped at traffic lights. This includes holding the phone up to, or near your ear."
Snr Sgt Hanrahan urged people to drive safely this Road Safety Week and every time you are on our roads.
"Remember, it's not about how good of a driver you are... if you gamble on our roads, you bet with your life," she said.
"Get involved in road safety week - create a sign, put it up at your home, at your school, or at your business and take a photo of the sign to upload to the StreetSmarts website where it will form part of a gallery."
This year, the Department of Transport and Main Roads and the Queensland Police Service are appealing to young drivers to teach them about the road safety factors that are relevant to them:
- Defensive driving
- Car maintenance
- Drink and drug affected driving
- Mobile phones and distraction
- Risk taking behaviour
You can find further information relevant to young drivers, a vehicle safety checklist and links to YouTube videos on the StreetSmarts website here.
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Derek Barry
Editor of the North West Star Mount Isa since January 2016. Prior to that, an editor at several regional southern Queensland newspapers. Passionate about telling local stories. Comes with a strange accent to due an Irish accident of birth.
Editor of the North West Star Mount Isa since January 2016. Prior to that, an editor at several regional southern Queensland newspapers. Passionate about telling local stories. Comes with a strange accent to due an Irish accident of birth.
