Slow down!

Every 6 seconds someone is killed or seriously injured on the world’s roads.

Every year, around 1200 people are killed on Australian roads. 

Did you know that December is the worst month for road trauma in Australia?

Combine end of year exhaustion with the high number of drivers on unfamiliar roads, as well as a spike in drink and drug driving, and you have a recipe for potential disaster.

Speed is number one for road risks, next is drink and drug driving, driving distracted, and not wearing a seatbelt. 
Australian Road Safety Foundation (ARSF) founder and CEO Russell White said the prominence of speeding was a frightening trend that had been on the rise throughout 2020 as the perception of safer roads had bred complacency. 

“At the height of lockdowns, our research showed that one in four drivers admitted to taking more road risks, with behaviour such as speeding increasing by an alarming 17 per cent,” Mr White said. 

“Christmas should be a time of love and laughter, not loss of life, but tragically it’s one of the most dangerous times on the road. Combined with more domestic travel and fewer flights this  year, we’re expecting even more 
Australians taking longer road trips this Christmas.” 

“In fact, data released by Nextbase [in December] showed that more than two in five Australians are planning a road trip this summer, so we all need to take responsibility to ensure we are adhering to speed limits, well rested, fit to drive and not distracted,” he said. 

It’s the responsibility of every driver and every passenger to ensure our roads stay safe and our families and friends enjoy a happy Christmas season. 
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Be sensible, be safe! 

​More in our December 2020 / January 2021 Edition here.