NAMED: The victims of Tasmania’s 15 fatal crashes in 2022 as police target drives over Easter break
Police will come down hard on “stupid” driving behaviour this Easter break as the fatal crashes which claimed the lives of 15 Tasmanians so far this year are detailed.
Tasmania
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POLICE have issued a stern warning to Tasmanian drivers, who can expect to see a “flood” of officers patrolling the highways over the Easter long weekend.
Thursday marked day one of Operation Safe Arrival, which will be a strict road safety blitz targeting “stupid” and dangerous driving behaviour throughout the holiday period.
It comes after Tasmania clocked up its 15th road death in 2022, far outstripping 2021’s road fatality rate for this time of year.
Assistant Commissioner Jonathan Higgins said these were unacceptable numbers, and that one death on the road was too many as far as he was concerned.
“Quite honestly, I’m getting a bit tired of standing up here and getting people to try and do the right thing. Drivers need to take responsibility,” Commissioner Higgins said.
“Unfortunately, it feels like people aren’t listening, and too many people have died tragically on Tasmanian roads because of stupid mistakes and selfish behaviour.”
RACT Chief Advocacy Officer Garry Bailey said it was encouraging to see police being extra tough on dangerous driving behaviour this Easter holiday season.
Mr Bailey said there was room to be even tougher, with the Legislative Council Select Committee into road safety currently looking at new ways to crack down on reckless drivers.
However, Mr Bailey said ultimately the responsibility lay on drivers not to threaten the safety of their fellow road users.
“The risk is not getting caught,” Mr Bailey said.
“The risk you should weigh is causing death or serious injury, losing your life, the lives of your passengers, or some innocents coming the other way.”
Police Association of Tasmania president Colin Riley said reckless drivers also put the lives of police officers in harm’s way.
Mr Riley warned drivers to keep in mind that the speed limit was 40km/h when police cars with flashing lights are stationed on the side of the road.
His warning comes near the two-year anniversary of a truck crash which killed four Victorian officers in the line of duty.
“The Police Association is a strong supporter of the Easter blitz for the safety of the public, but also for the safety of our members out on the roadway because that’s our workplace,” he said.
“All we’re asking is for drivers to take control of their vehicles and focus on what they are meant to be doing so everyone will have a safe Easter.”
TIMELINE OF 2022 FATAL CRASHES
January 13: Phillip Milburn, 39, was a pillion passenger on a motorbike and died at the scene after the bike collided with a truck at the intersection of Wellington and High Streets, Longford.
January 16:A 50-year-old man from Invermay died after he crashed his car on the Bass Highway near Deloraine.
February 22: A cyclist in his 50s was killed after being struck by a car while turning from Mt Royal Rd onto Osbourne Esplanade in Kingston.
March 3:A 62-year-old man died when his car left the road and crashed on Woolmers Ln, near Longford.
March 3:Joshua Tyrell, 28, died after he crashed his motorbike on the Brooker Highway, Montrose.
March 8:A 62-year-old woman died after the vehicle she was a passenger in collided head on with another car on Ford Rd at Cutts Rd, Don.
March 11:Shaun Ross, 27, and Nick Williams, 20, died after the ute they were travelling in rolled on Seabrook Rd, Somerset.
March 21: A man in his 80s died after the excavator he was driving rolled at a workplace at Colebrook Rd, Campania.
March 25:A man in his 50s died after the motorcycle he was riding was involved in a crash with a truck and three cars on the Bass Highway, Carrick.
March 29:70-year-old American Steve Dishman died after it’s believed he had a medical episode on the bike and failed to navigate a turn on the Tasman Highway at Goshen.
March 30:A 27-year-old man died after his motorcycle collided with a car on the Bass Highway at Wynyard.
April 4: 71-year-old woman died in a horror head-on crash at Westella Dr, Ulverstone.
April 7: 33-year-old Claremont man Simon Catto was killed in a motorcycle crash on Osprey Road, Claremont.
April 14: Harry Tucker was killed after a his motorbike collided with another vehicle near the Seaport in Launceston.
FATAL 13: Road deaths triple in horror year
A top Tasmanian cop has labelled it “one of the hardest jobs a police officer has” – delivering the news to the loved ones of another soul lost on the state’s roads – but the grim task has become prolific in 2022.
Tasmania is on track for an alarmingly deadly year on its roads with 15 deaths recorded just four months into the year.
That is against the 10 year average of 33.3 and at this time last year, the state had only recorded four deaths.
Police have been pulling out the stops with numerous measures aimed at road safety, but the morbid number continues to climb.
The last life lost on Tasmanian roads occurred about 6.30pm Monday night when a 71-year-old woman died in a horror head-on crash at Westella Drive, in Ulverstone.
According to Tasmania Police, initial inquiries indicated that a Silver Toyota Hilux was travelling West on Westella Drive, when the vehicle has drove into path of a Blue Suzuki Baleno Hatch travelling East, resulting in a head on collision between the two.
Tasmania Police Assistant Commissioner Jonathan Higgins said there is there is always a cause behind a crash.
“We call them “crashes” and not “accidents” for a reason,” he said.
Tasmania Police focus lays on the ‘Fatal Five’ – Speed, Seatbelts, Alcohol and drugs, Distraction and Fatigue – which are the major contributors to road deaths and serious crashes.
“At the end of the day, police can’t keep the roads safe alone,” Assistant Commissioner Higgins said.
“We need all motorists to make the right choice when they’re on the roads.
“The message is simple – if you’re out on the roads please pay attention, buckle up, watch your speed, stay under the limit and rest if you’re tired.”
Significant safety operations and awareness campaigns carried out this year already with more on the way, including the new Over is Over campaign, which is featured on TV and on Tasmania Police traffic cars.
“Speed is a factor in almost one third of all crashes on Tasmanian roads and accounts for around 88 fatalities or serious injuries every year,” Assistant Commissioner Higgins said.
“Speeding by just 5 km/h in a 60 km/h zone doubles the risk of being seriously or fatally injured during a crash.”
The toll of road deaths extends much further than those close to the victims with first responders often left with trauma and distress of their own.
“Emergency services see first-hand the trauma, distress and lifelong impacts crashes have on everyone involved,” Assistant Commissioner Higgins said.
“Having to deliver the news that someone’s loved one has been killed or seriously injured in a crash is one of the hardest jobs a police officer has – it’s a devastating message no officer ever wants someone to hear.”
Assistant Commissioner Higgins also let Tasmanians know what to expect as the Easter Holiday period fast approaches.
“Whether you see us or not, every day and every night police are out on our highways, main roads and backstreets, in urban and rural areas,” he said.
“We do high-visibility patrols, as well as more covert operations using our unmarked cars and motorbikes.
“The message is simple – if you’re out on the roads we need you to pay attention, buckle up, watch your speed, stay under the limit and rest if you’re tired.”
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