Police conducting the annual Operation Crossroads road safety campaign are urging all motorists to be safe on our roads this festive season.

From 21 December until 1 January police will once again be conducting Operation Crossroads, focusing on the fatal five contributors to fatal and serious crashes.

“The Christmas/New Year period is one of the busiest times of year on our roads, and police are urging all motorists to take road safety seriously,” said Commissioner Darren Hine.

“As part of Operation Crossroads police will be undertaking highly visible and covert patrols focused on the fatal five contributors to crashes, aimed at improving driver behaviour.”

With additional traffic on the roads, as well as more caravans, boats and trailers, the message from police to all road users during this festive season is to:

• Obey the speed limit – it’s there for a reason.
• Pay attention – one moment of distraction is all it takes to cause a crash.
• Rest if you’re tired – arriving late is better than not arriving at all.
• Buckle up every person in the vehicle – seatbelts save lives.
• Never drive after drinking or taking drugs – you’ll be putting more than your life on the line.

“This year there have been a devastating number of people killed and seriously injured on our roads,” said Commissioner Hine.

Between 1 January and 20 December 2020, crashes on Tasmanian roads have resulted in 35 people killed and 270 serious injuries.

“As police, we see first-hand the devastating life-long impact crashes have on everyone involved. We don’t want anyone to receive news this festive season that a loved one has been killed or seriously injured in a crash.

“There are fines for disobeying the road rules, but the real penalty could be seriously injuring or killing yourself or someone else.

“Police will be patrolling the roads but need everyone to take road safety seriously and remember that it’s not just their life on the line when they get behind the wheel.”