The NTC is urging road users to keep the festive spirit alive by staying safe on the roads
December 1, 2011
The National Transport Commission (NTC) is urging road users to keep the festive spirit alive by staying safe on the roads.
NTC CEO Nick Dimopoulos says safety must be the top concern for all to avoid the holiday season being marred by tragedy.
“Too often we see fatal accidents occur on our roads that could have been avoided if people planned ahead,” Dimopoulos says.
Speed, fatigue, drugs and alcohol are the main factors causing road trauma, he adds.
“This year marked the start of the United Nation’s Decade of Action for Road Safety and it’s important that all Australians play their part in preventing deaths and serious injuries on roads worldwide,” Dimopoulos says.
More than 1280 people died on Australia’s roads this year, according to the Bureau of Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Economics (BITRE).
While this is a 4.8 percent decrease from the 12-monthly period ending in October 2010, Dimopoulos says more needs to be done to stop the carnage.
“We all need to take personal responsibility for our behaviour on the roads to ensure everyone goes home safely to their families,” he says.