Video aims to cut deaths on our roads with important messages from locals

NRL legend Antonio Kaufusi has joined forces with some of Bundaberg’s most familiar faces in a call to put an end to the region’s shocking road death toll. Watch the video and play your part

NRL legend Antonio Kaufusi has joined forces with some of Bundaberg’s most familiar faces in a call to put an end to the region’s shocking road death toll.

As part of National Road Safety Week, Bundaberg police are asking locals to take a pledge to drive so others survive.

“Picture yourself behind the wheel with a loved one in the passenger seat or driving in the opposite direction – would you be distracted by your mobile phone?” a Bundaberg police statement reads.

“Would you risk your loved one’s life by speeding, driving while tired or under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs? No – absolutely not.”

Police say the region is on track to having one of the worst death tolls in years.

“Lives lost are forecast to reach 300 state-wide,” a police spokesperson said.

“What if that included your loved one?”

Locals are being reminded that road safety is everyone’s responsibility.

“This year we have teamed up with well known Bundaberg locals who have made the pledge to drive safely,” police said.

Bundaberg Police Inspector Anne Vogler, Bundaberg Mayor Jack Dempsey, Bundaberg Brewed Drinks founder Cliff Fleming and ex-NRL player Antonio Kaufusi delivered their personal road safety messages in a video launched on Monday night in support of reducing fatalities on our roads.

To play your part in National Road Safety Week and take the pledge to drive so others can survive, visit roadsafetyweek.com.au and sign up online.

Police are reminding locals of the fatal five when they get behind the wheel:

Speeding: Just 5km/h over the speed limit in urban areas and 10km/h in rural areas are enough to double the risk of a crash.

Drink/drug driving: More than one in four drivers and riders killed on Australian roads have a blood-alcohol content exceeding the legal limit.

Fatigue: A driver who has been awake for 17 hours has a driving ability similar to a driver with blood alcohol concentration of 0.05.

Distraction: Using a mobile phone while driving is highly distracting and increases your risk of a crash four-fold, even when using a hands-free kit.

Seatbelts: Unrestrained drivers and passengers are eight times more than likely to be killed in a road crash.

Originally published as Video aims to cut deaths on our roads with important messages from locals