POPULAR WORDS

December 23, 2009

Australia’s federal transport minister and his counterpart have put aside political differences to urge motorists to take care over the Christmas period.

Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Anthony Albanese says motorists need to take more responsibility for their actions to reduce the road toll.

“My plea for road users to take greater personal responsibility is particularly timely given the release of new figures confirming that 1,390 people have died on the nation’s roads so far this year – more than 6 per cent higher than for the same period in 2008,” Albanese says.

“A recent survey of community attitudes found that while Australians are well-informed about road safety issues, the personal conduct of many leaves a lot to be desired.”

Opposition spokesman on transport Warren Truss issued a simple message to motorists.

“Drive to the conditions and the rules, and be aware that more people are on the roads than normal, often travelling long distances to see family and friends,” he says.

Truss says the Federal Government can play an international leadership role in promoting road safety.

A government representative last month attended the first United Nations Global Ministerial Conference on Road Safety in Moscow, Russia.

The summit aims to stop the road death toll of 1.3 million and then reduce it by 2020 primarily through safer road design.