Celebrate, but take care too

Authorities issue Easter safety message for all holidaymakers

l CAIRNS

| Nick Dalton

EASTER might be all about chocolate eggs, hot cross buns, church services and a long weekend, but authorities are urging people to take care over the four-day holiday.

Police are conducting Operation Victor Easter until Sunday, April 16, with targeted operations and will have a high visibility presence on roads to combat the fatal five, including in the Cairns region.

Acting Assistant Commissioner Chris Stream said school holiday periods always resulted in increased traffic on the roads with families eager to get to their destinations and travelling in unfamiliar areas.

“Day or night, ensure you drive to the conditions. Don’t speed or drive affected by drugs or alcohol,” he said.

“We know that we can significantly reduce fatal crashes if motorists avoid the fatal five behaviours: speeding, drink or drug driving, not wearing a seatbelt, driving tired and distracted driving.

“Expect to see police conducting roadside operations and patrolling our roads, doing everything we can to reduce road trauma and keep Queenslanders safe.”

Almost 300 volunteer lifesavers from Mission Beach, Etty Bay, Cairns, Ellis Beach and Port Douglas surf lifesaving clubs have returned to their posts to once again fly the red and yellow flags.