F1 ace Oscar Piastri fronts advertising campaign for phone mounting firm Quad Lock

He is making waves in the Formula One world for his speed but Melbourne’s Oscar Piastri is urging motorists to slow down and pay attention after a horror year of fatalities.

Aussie Formula One star Oscar Piastri has urged Australians to be cautious on our roads in the wake of a horror year for road fatalities.

The newly crowned F1 rookie of the year — home in Melbourne for Christmas after a successful debut season in the sport — called for drivers of all ages to be responsible over the festive season.

“There is a lot of risk, a lot of danger out there on the road,’’ he said.

“I wish everyone a safe holidays but with the holiday period there is a lot more traffic on the road, a lot more people on the road and the risk is always higher.’’

Oscar Piastri is in Melbourne for Christmas after a successful debut season. Picture: David Caird

The rising star will front an advertising campaign for phone mounting firm Quad Lock with the cheeky slogan “Keep Your Hands Off It” in a bid to stop motorists talking, texting or scrolling on mobiles behind the wheel.

“The world is constantly going into a new place with more technology and more temptation on your phone and it can be very easy to be drawn in and all of a sudden you’re in a potentially life changing situation,’’ he said.

It comes as new Victoria Police statistics obtained by the Herald Sun show alarming numbers of Victorians being busted on their phones, speeding and putting themselves and others at risk by drink or drug driving.

Victoria has already experienced its worst road toll in 15 years, with more than 280 lives lost and a staggering amount of multiple fatality accidents.

Piastri says ‘there is a lot of risk, a lot of danger out there on the road’. Picture: David Caird

Police busted motorists for 3798 traffic offences in the first four days of Operation Roadwise, including 1393 speeding, 186 mobile phone and 91 seat belt infringements.

“It’s silly to be drinking and driving. It’s silly to be speeding,’’ Piastri said.

“I know as a racing car driver I love to go fast but that doesn’t meet I need to do it on the road.’’

The McLaren driver said “there is absolutely no need’’ to drive fast off the track.

“For me, there is almost more risks and more things to look out for on the roads than there is on a racetrack,’’ he said.

Victoria is in the midst of its worst year for road deaths since 292 were killed in 2008, with

two quintuple, four quadruple and 13 double fatalities so far.

Assistant Commissioner Road Policing Glenn Weir said the loss of life on our roads “is truly devastating”.

“Speed, failure to wear seatbelts, unauthorised driving and people getting behind the wheel after a few drinks or taking drugs are needlessly costing lives,’’ he said.

“We’re also seeing people making simple but life-altering mistakes like failing to obey road signs and using their mobile phone while driving.’’

He said more than a dozen people dying on Victorian roads this month was “flat out unacceptable and … completely avoidable.’’

“We’re urging everyone to make road safety a priority – the last place you want to end up this Christmas is in hospital or worse,’’ he said.

Using a mobile phone or device while driving attracts a $577 fine and four demerit points in Victoria.

Australia-wide there were more than 360,000 mobile phone infringements issued to motorists last year – a 63percent increase on the previous period.