Easter Road Toll higher than last year

The 2015 Easter Road toll has been released, and figures are up compared to last year. From April 1 to 6, 14 people died on Australian roads, despite measures such as double demerits being in place.

This year, the road toll consisted of the following:

• Three children
• Eight Males
• Three Females
• Seven fatalities in Queensland
• Two fatalities in Western Australia
• Three fatalities in NSW
• One fatality in South Australia
• One fatality in Victoria

Canberrans made it through the weekend fatality free, and ACT Policing thanked residents for driving safely over the long weekend.

Figures from previous years show that while 2015’s total stands about average, it is higher than 2014’s. Each year, police aim to lower the toll with higher than average highway patrols, random drug and alcohol tests, and vehicle registration checks.

It seems the message isn’t getting through, with ACT Policing stating that speeding, mobile phone use, and driving under the influence remain the major factors that led to an accident this Easter weekend.

ACT Policing shared some statistics on their Facebook page about their work over the weekend:

• 262 Traffic Infringement Notices (TINs) issued for driving offences
• 95 of those were for speeding
• 5,500 breath tests conducted
• 17 drivers caught drunk driving
• 71 roadside drug tests
• 7 people caught driving with an indication of drugs in their system
• 3 collisions resulting in minor injuries.”

It’s important for all drivers to remember that no matter what time of the year, it’s important to stick to the road rules and drive sensibly. Let’s hope next Easter the road toll is lower.

Story by Elly Mackay.