How to stay safe this
festive season
WORDS BY DANIEL BRAID
It’s always important to take a little extra care
on the roads at this special time of the year
S
tatistics show the risk of crashing increases
for people as they travel longer distances to
unfamiliar areas, experiencing fatigue and
speeding. As we head into the festive season it’s
an important time to remain extra vigilant on how
to remain safe – particularly on regional or heavily
congested roads.
Road Policing Unit Assistant Commissioner Mike
Keating said the regional death toll of 2019 is
definitely a cause for concern.
“It can be due to complacency, people can be
quite ambivalent about their own safety and the
safety of others,” he said.
“There is an unacceptable level of injuries and
deaths (in regional areas) where people simply
aren’t wearing seatbelts and these have been
compulsory since the 1970s.
“It comes down to the fact that people just think ‘it
won’t happen to me’.”
Keep safe and remember the importance of safety
on all roads this festive season. Below is a helpful
reminder of some of the things we all need to be
aware of – don’t take this list for granted.
Safety starts with your car
Ensuring your safety on the road
this Christmas should start with your
car. If you plan on driving over a long
distance, ideally it would be a good idea to get
your car serviced in the months or weeks leading
up to your trip. Make sure to check tyres, washers,
belts and hoses, filters, oil, battery and lights to
ensure your car is in proper condition for the trip
ahead.
Plan extra time into your journey
If you’re heading home for the holidays,
or plan on you and the kids spending
Christmas with the Grandparents, then
chances are, you’ll be sharing the road with many
other families who are doing the same. The traffic
level can be unpredictable at this time, so better
to be cautious and allow for extra time, especially
if you’re travelling on the day or just before
Christmas Day. There may be more caravans
and trailers towing boats and jet skis on the road,
which can cause minor delays and require extra
caution from all drivers.