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Vol. 17 No. 48
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Wednesday, June 10, 2015
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SENSATIONAL SEEDS: The professor, aka performer Tim Ratchiffe, explores the world of seeds under a microscope as part of ‘The Great Wimmera Seed Bank’, during the Art Is... Festival. For more on the festival, page 3. Picture: MELISSA POWELL PHOTOGRAPHY
Booze and drug focus BY LAUREN HENRY
D
riving under the influence of alcohol and drugs will be a focus in the next two months as Victoria Police’s booze bus rolls into the region.
Wimmera police road safety campaign during June and July will drive home the message to people about drink-driving, drug-driving, driver distraction and fatigue. The booze bus will be at Western Victoria Careers Expo at Longerenong on June 23,
with officers explaining how testing works and the dangers of driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs. It has been several years since the booze bus has visited the Wimmera. Senior Sergeant Guin Cleminson, Traffic and Proactive Policing Advisor for the region, said specialist police from the Road Policy Drug and Alcohol Section would accompany the booze bus to the careers expo. “They will be there to educate on the dangers of drink-driving
nately it could just be one occasion, one misjudgement that could result in the loss of a life or serious injury,” she said. “People need to err on the side of caution when debating whether they should drive. “Drink-driving is just not worth your life or the life of your mates. If you’re going to drink, organise another way to get home – don’t drive.” “Drug-driving is deadly but it is on the rise. Like alcohol, drugs reduce your ability to drive safely. Slowed reaction
and deter that type of behaviour,” she said. “They are coming up to talk to the students at the expo and perform operational testing shifts while in the region. “We’re hoping it will have a big deterrence impact on the community.”
Constant
Sen Sgt Cleminson said driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs was an ‘ongoing issue’ in the Wimmera. “It’s something police are always focusing on. Unfortu-
times, distorted perception of speed and distance create a recipe for disaster.” Sen Sgt Cleminson said fatigue was a ‘silent’ killer, particularly in the Wimmera. “Fatigue is common in crashes involving people from our local community,” she said. “Take a break or change drivers every two hours but remember – only sleep can cure fatigue.” She also warned about distraction, and drivers paying attention to stay alive.
IN THIS ISSUE • Wimmera OAM winners • Horsham actor on big stage • District league game twist Read it online: www.theweeklyadvertiser.com.au
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“Distraction comes in many forms – all of which can be deadly when driving. Taking your eyes off the road for two seconds when travelling at 50 kilometres an hour means you are effectively blind for 27 metres,” Sen Sgt Cleminson said. “Passengers also have a role to play in road safety. Once you get in the car with a driver your life is in their hands. “If the driver is taking risks speak up – otherwise staying silent might be the last thing you do.”