Operation Crossroads – State wide enforcement activities (cumulative Total)

 Note:  This is a cumulative report comparing this stage in this year’s operation to the same stage in last year’s operation.

This is the fifth day of Operation Crossroads.

Tasmania Police would like to take the opportunity to congratulate Tasmania’s road users in the manner that they have conducted themselves over this Easter period.

Some isolated examples of bad driving behaviour and decision making have been identified but this certainly does not reflect the actions of the majority of road users out there.

The road toll remains at zero fatal crashes, however another serious crash overnight brings the number of serious crashes to two for the Easter period.

Serious Crash – Southern Tasmania

The serious crash overnight resulted in a 24-year-old woman being hospitalised after failing to negotiate a bend on Scotts Road at Cairns Bay in the south of the state.  It appears that this stage that speed and vehicle condition were contributing factors.  Whether alcohol and drugs were involved is yet to be established.

Speeding

Overall Tasmania’s drivers seem to be heeding the speeding message and slowing down this Easter. However there are some examples that have been reported over the previous few days which appear to be results of conscious decisions to travel at dangerously high speeds on our roads.

Regardless of how good these drivers may think they are, none of us are able to control what occurs outside our own vehicle.  Speed limits are in place to enable us to safely navigate roads and react to a changing environment.  Speeding reduces our reaction time and the effectiveness of the action we do take to avoid obstacles or address changing road conditions.

Stick to or slightly below speed limit.  Limits are for your own safety.

Travelling Home

Many people will be travelling home from their Easter escapes today.  Those of you that are we encourage you to drive safely and take breaks when you feel that you need it.   Everyone should expect to see more caravans, boats and trailers being towed on the roads today.  Those of you that are driving these vehicles or are following them, please drive courteously and patiently.  Remember these vehicles behave and handle differently than they normally would and need more room to stop or manoeuvre in an emergency.

Also, if you are travelling below the speed limit, take opportunities to pull over and let faster vehicles pass.

Tasmania Police ask each and every motorist to drive carefully and be continually aware of the ‘fatal 5’; the five biggest contributors to serious and fatal crashes on our roads, these being:

speed

failure to wear seatbelts or helmets

Alcohol and Drugs

Inattention

Driving whilst tired