Tasmanian road users will be reminded of what can happen if they don’t drive safely for National Road Safety Week.

Speaking at the launch of the week the ANCAP display at Agfest today, Acting Police Commander Doug Rossiter said that there had been no fatalities and very few serious injuries during the last two Operation Crossroads campaigns.

“We applaud the majority of Tasmanians who take pride in being a safe driver and do the right things on our roads,” Acting Commander Rossiter said.

“However, we should not accept that road deaths are inevitable.  Many deaths and serious injuries are avoidable. These deaths and injuries are a tragedy not only for those involved but also for the friends and family of those people.”

Police will be focussing on those contributing factors:

• failing to wear seatbelts or restraints correctly
• speed and not driving to the conditions
• inattention and distraction – eg using mobile phones while driving
• driving while tired
• driving while affected by alcohol or drugs

“We’ll be conducting high visibility patrols targeting the ‘Fatal Five’ causes of road crashes, as well as targeted covert operations,” Mr Rossiter said.

Emergency services vehicles will display a yellow ribbon for the week as a reminder to drive so others survive and to remember those killed or injured and their families.

Free yellow Road Safety Week lapel ribbons will be available from Service Tasmania outlets and United Service stations throughout the State.