August 18, 2015
Police are setting their sights on drivers using mobile phones behind the wheel as part of Queensland’s first ever Road Safety Week.
Road Safety Minister Mark Bailey and Police Minister Jo-Ann Miller launched the campaign on Monday, just two weeks before double demerit points come into effect for serial mobile phone offenders.
“As Queensland’s first ever Road Safety Minister, I am deeply concerned that almost 150 people have died on our roads so far this year,” Mr Bailey said.
“We’re holding 50 events across the state in an effort to reduce the road toll and Queenslanders are encouraged to make pledges to be safer drivers.
“Road deaths are a tragedy for the whole community but sadly, most of them are preventable and we want the community to have their say on road safety.”
Ms Miller said police would be out in force across Queensland this week.
“Our hard-working and dedicated Road Policing Command officers will be out and about patrolling our roads and will not hesitate to take enforcement action against drivers putting their own lives and the lives of innocent Queenslanders at risk,” she said.
“In particular we will be targeting drivers who use mobile phones behind the wheel.
“That includes people who continue to text, tweet or Facebook while driving.”
Road Safety Week will have a different theme each day and will focus on driver distractions, speeding, driver fatigue, sharing the road, and driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
