Police and road safety researchers are reminding the community that there is a zero-tolerance approach to Fatal Five offences, this Queensland Road Safety Week.
From 18 to 22 August, Sunshine Coast police will be reminding people of their responsibility on the road by focusing on high visibility patrols and increased roadside breath and drug testing across the district.
Sunshine Coast District Officer Superintendent Craig Hawkins said road trauma can impact anyone, from a learner driver to the most experienced motorist, a truck driver to a motorbike or e-scooter rider.
"I urge you to be familiar with the Fatal Five - speeding, distraction, drink and drug driving, driving tired and not using seatbelts - and do everything in your power to avoid these proven causes of serious traffic crashes," Superintendent Hawkins said.
"No fatal five offences are accidental - you make an intentional decision to use your phone, not use a seatbelt or drive tired.
"Please stop and think about the consequences these intentional decisions may have on yourself, your future, your loved ones, and other road users, before you act on them.
"187 lives have been lost on Queensland roads so far this year, with 11 of them being on the Sunshine Coast.
"But death isn't the only outcome of road trauma as we also see people sustain life-altering injuries that they carry for life, including spinal damage, traumatic brain injuries and amputations.
"Your choices on the road could save a life or take one.
"Please use this week as an opportunity to pause and reflect on how you drive, ride, walk or use our roads.
"Police will continue enforcement and education around road safety beyond this week, but road safety is a responsibility we share with the community.
"Let's work together to reduce the number of lives lost and serious injuries on our roads."
Road safety experts have pointed to decades of research establishing the consequences that intoxication, using a phone while driving, and speeding have on people's ability to safely operate a vehicle.
University of the Sunshine Coast Professor Kerry Armstrong, who leads the MAIC/UniSC Road Safety Research Collaboration, says the ongoing challenge experts face is deterring people from doing it anyway.
"The evidence is clear. Drinking, taking drugs (including some prescribed ones) and fatigue significantly affect drivers' reaction times, decision-making abilities and the necessary motor skills crucial for safe driving," she said.
"Meanwhile speeding remains the largest contributor to road crashes in Australia, and speeding-related trauma rates have not decreased in the last decade.
"But people knowingly engage in this potentially deadly behaviour anyway, so it's crucial we understand why that is, and what we, police and policy-makers can do to deter it.
"These actions endanger lives. It's crucial we work together to keep each other safe."
Transport and Main Roads spokesperson Joanna Robinson says road safety isn't someone else's responsibility, it is everyone's responsibility.
"During Queensland Road Safety Week we ask all Queenslanders to think of how they can contribute to safer roads," Ms Robinson said.
"When driving, wear your seatbelt, properly. Take a break every two hours, if you're drinking, never drive, put your mobile phone away and don't speed."
Road safety is everyone's responsibility. Learn more about staying safe on Queensland roads: https://www.police.qld.gov.au/initiatives/fatal-five-staying-safe-roads
The Queensland Police Service is committed to reducing the number of lives lost on our roads.
Data shows that serious crashes can be significantly reduced when drivers recognise and avoid the 'Fatal Five' behaviours: speeding, drink and drug driving, not wearing seatbelts, fatigue and distraction.
Road safety is everyone's responsibility. Learn more about staying safe on Queensland roads: https://www.police.qld.gov.au/initiatives/fatal-five-staying-safe-roads
