As school holidays kick off this winter, the Queensland Ambulance Service is urging motorists to take extra care on our roads.
Whether you’re heading north for warmer weather or south for the cold, Senior Paramedic Dermot Kelly said the roads would be busier than usual with many holiday-goers travelling long distances.
“As it is school holidays, expect there to be more traffic on the roads, leave extra time to get to your destination,” he said.
“The roads are going to be busier and if you’re driving in metro or suburban areas, just watch out for kids on the pavement and riding their bicycles. They won’t necessarily be watching for cars, so we need to watch out for them.”
It has been a horror week in the lead up to school holidays, with crews across the state attending several serious and fatal crashes.
“The saddest part is that 99 per cent of road traffic crashes these days are preventable. Most of them are caused by speed, lack of concentration or not driving to weather and road conditions or being aware of your surroundings,” Mr Kelly said.
“Thankfully, because modern cars are the way they are, the chances of loss of life are reducing as long as people are wearing seat belts and doing the right thing.”
Mr Kelly said people should be aware of the fatal five causes of most road traffic crashes before getting behind the wheel.
“Remember to wear your seatbelt, check your speed, drive to the speed limit, avoid drink and drug driving, don’t drive while fatigued and don’t be distracted while driving by mobile phones,” he said.
“Enjoy the school holidays and your time with family and stay safe out there.”
