Tasmania Police officers are asking drivers to keep the ‘Fatal Five’ in mind when they’re driving during this Christmas and New Year period.

Police will be out in numbers as part of Operation Crossroads to enforce and encourage safe driving behaviour in what is traditionally a high crash period.

Last year there were 11 fatal and serious crashes on Tasmanian roads from 23 December 2013 to 3 January 2014.

The most likely time for a crash to occur during the Christmas and New Year period is on Christmas Eve between 12 midday and 8pm.

To help ensure a safe Christmas and New Year for Tasmania’s road users, police will be conducting Operation Crossroads from December 23 – January 3 which focuses on the ‘Fatal Five’ contributors to road deaths:

• Speed
• Seatbelts
• Alcohol and drugs
• Distraction
• Fatigue

As part of the operation police will be conducting random breath tests and speed enforcement operations at various locations all around the State.

Assistant Commissioner Donna Adams said:

“As a police officer one of the hardest parts of the job is telling a family that their loved one has been killed in a road crash.

“During the Christmas and New Year period this message is even more devastating for families.

“We’re asking drivers to be especially careful this year and keep the ‘Fatal Five” in mind every time they get behind the wheel.

“In short, we want people to buckle up, watch their speed, stay under the alcohol limit, pay attention to the road and rest if they’re tired.

“It seems like a common sense request, and it is.

“But sadly we see the results too often when people don’t adhere to common sense principles of road use. “