Vol. 16 No. 38
FREE PUBLICATION
Wednesday, April 2, 2014
Highway targeted By DEAN LAWSON olice have identified the Western Highway as a primary target for a statewide campaign designed to tackle a mounting number of fatalities and serious injuries on the state’s roads. Horsham Acting Inspector Brendan Broadbent said motorists travelling on the Western Highway and other routes throughout the WimmeraMallee could expect a greater police presence and enforcement during the next three months. He said a series of serious road-trauma incidents on the Western Highway this year, including a fatal collision near Stawell on Sunday, had rammed home a message that motorists needed to, at all times, take care and be attentive. “When you consider the recent collisions in the region, vehicles have left the road and become caught in gravel or left the road and come back into oncoming traffic. In most cases this scenario involves driver inattention or driver fatigue,” he said. “We live in an area between major cities and people are constantly making trips between the two and we need everyone to understand that they must have appropriate rest before travelling and they must follow the rules.” Acting Inspector Broadbent appealed to the public to take ownership of the issue as part of the ‘Road to Zero – it starts with you’ campaign which runs until June 30. The statewide campaign, which will spread a safety message through social media, will run in conjunction with a series of statewide roadenforcement operations. “Apart from the road toll, for the first four weeks of this year there have been 447 people injured in serious collisions,” Acting Inspector Broadbent said. “If accidents continue to mount the way they have been we could end up with 30 more fatalities than last year. We’re asking the public to make a serious effort to concentrate on their driving. It’s about everyone being attentive, mindful and courteous and being aware that oth-
P
IN THIS ISSUE
ers using the road might not have the same level of awareness.” Acting Inspector Broadbent said police would target speed, including low-level offences such as travelling at 105kpm in 100kph zones as well as other offences. “Factors that have been identified as key factors involving road trauma include speed, impaired driving such as travelling under the influence of alcohol and drugs, and vulnerable road users such as the elderly and inexperienced young people,” he said. “We’ve developed a road-enforcement plan that involves a number of operations and campaigns which involve additional resources. There will be a definite increase in police road patrols and enforcement of road rules. “But again, it comes down to the community taking this on as their project as well.” The focus of the ‘Road to Zero – it starts with you’ campaign is wider than the road toll, concentrating on the overall impact on the community.
Millions Police and Emergency Services Minister Kim Wells said although the community cost could be measured in terms of Transport Accident Commission claims – an average of $33,000 an injury – this was only the tip of the iceberg. “Costs can rise into the millions if someone is seriously injured and becomes a paraplegic or quadriplegic,” he said. “Looking at a text, being more interested in your phone call, speeding while rushing to your next destination, or simply not respecting other road users can lead to a situation from which you can never turn back. “There will be a strong enforcement effort to ensure the message gets through. If you’re doing the wrong thing on the road then expect to be stopped by police. The human cost of road trauma is the thousands of people who are affected by those suffering serious injuries and death.”
FABULOUS FEV: Former Carlton star Brendan Fevola has eyes only for the ball as he leaps for a mark ahead of Noradjuha-Quantong opponent Brady King while playing for Edenhope-Apsley at Edenhope in Horsham District Football League. Edenhope-Apsley club officials will attempt to lure the former Coleman Medallist back to the west Wimmera next year after more than 1800 people flocked to see the full forward in action. Fevola all but put on a clinic for the fans, kicking 12 goals in a big first-round win for the Saints. Picture: WILLAMY IMAGES
• Council explores shop-front issue • Rupanyup Dirt Music festival • Anzac Day invitation • Sport
www.theweeklyadvertiser.com.au
AUDITED: 23,390 COPIES
April 2013 to September 2013 Source: AMAA; CAB Total Distribution Audit for further information visit www.auditedmedia.org.au
Have a bottle full of fun with
in Centre Mall
Mon 7th to Fri 11th, and Mon 14th to Thurs 17th April 12PM - 3PM CENTRE MALL Only $4 - includes bottle and coloured sand
KMART • NQR GROCERY CLEARANCE • SPOTLIGHT • REJECT SHOP • WIDE RANGE OF SPECIALTY STORES • WWW.HORSHAMPLAZA.COM.AU
HORSHAM
PLAZA DARLOT STREET Ph 5382 0912
HP0728
sand art