No distractions during Road Safety Week

Police across the southwest have turned their focus to safer driving, and are educating their communities with many local events.

TEST DRIVE: Alan Weeton tries out the driving simulator for Road Safety Week with Greg Caletti, from the Maranoa PCYC, and Senior Constable Dale Kenna, of Roma Police. Picture: Jorja McDonnell

POLICE around the southwest are driving home messages of road safety, in a bid to reduce accidents around the region.

During road safety week, recognised from August 26-30, cops like Roma Senior-Constable Dale Kenna were out spreading awareness of the little things which make a difference behind the wheel.

"This week is all about putting road safety first, and having a conversation about it to make safety the first thing you think about when you hop in the car,” Sen-Constable Kenna said.

"One of the biggest things I think, is distraction - not just from mobile phones but also kids in the back, yelling and distracting you while you're driving.

"I'm an example of that: When I was 17, riding my motorbike to work, a lady went through a stop sign and cleaned me up.

"I went over the top of the car and was in hospital for a couple of days but her reason was that she didn't see the stop sign because she was rousing on the kids in the back seat.”

Throughout Road Safety Week, officers in every community have been tackling the Fatal Five: Seatbelts, speeding, drink/drug driving, fatigue, and distraction.

Police see the results of the five all too often, and have even added another common factor to their own list.

"Out here, we see a lot of accidents when people are impatient to overtake while driving on the highway,” Sen-Constable Kenna said.

"I went to a crash a while ago where a lady was overtaking a big truck, the car didn't have enough power to overtake and another truck came along from the other way.

"Fortunately she wasn't badly injured but she is lucky to be alive.

"You might get stuck behind a truck or a caravan at some point but you need quite a distance to overtake.

"I suggest drivers stick on some music, have some patience, and wait for the opportunity to pass safely - don't risk it because you might save five minutes.”

Leading the charge to change attitudes, police stations will ramp up traffic operations and put on different events for Road Safety Week.

Blackall:

Road safety expo and community barbecue - Wednesday.

Charleville:

Road and aviation safety breakfast - Thursday.

Cunnamulla:

Coffee with a Cop - Thursday.

Roma:

Under the Bonnet workshop for new drivers - Tuesday.

Road safety forum - Wednesday.

Breaking the Cycle workshop - Thursday.

St George:

Crews will conduct traffic enforcement operations.

Originally published as No distractions during Road Safety Week