Vol. 18 No. 26
FREE PUBLICATION
Wednesday, December 23, 2015
FESTIVE FUN: The annual Mixx FM Santa Day Races at Horsham again attracted families, friends and work colleagues to celebrate Christmas. Despite rain early in the day, the weather cleared to provide race-goers with a relaxed party atmosphere at Horsham racecourse on Sunday. Pictured enjoying the day are, back, Elisabeth Craig, Esther Craig and Georgia Hoskins, front, Larni Hermans, Kathryn Op De Coul, Kaitlyn Gebert, Danielle Hoskins and Kylie Hermans. Picture: WILLAMY IMAGES
Community ally call BY DEAN LAWSON
P
olice have called on families and friends of people in the Wimmera, Mallee and Grampians travelling this Christmas to be front-line allies in a fight against road trauma.
Regional traffic advisor Senior Sergeant Guin Cleminson urged people to remind travellers coming into the region about potential risks. “I’m urging community members to consider who is planning to visit them over the holiday period, whether from interstate or across Victoria, and to discuss with them the dangers of speed, fatigue and distraction,” she said. “It’s also important they
stress a need for visitors to factor in regular breaks during their journeys.” Sen Sgt Cleminson made the comments while reflecting on circumstances involving serious and, in some cases, fatal crashes in the region this year. She said people travelling through the Wimmera had been involved in fatal collisions. Investigations had revealed many had been travelling considerable distances and-or pushing their personal physical limits. “This has to stop and we need everyone, not just police and emergency services or community leaders, on board to get the message about the dangers of fatigue,” she said. “This is not so much about
IN THIS ISSUE
“Please don’t understate the dangers of fatigue, speeding and driving while impaired – it’s no excuse just because it’s Christmas” – Sen Sgt Guin Cleminson the distance someone has travelled, but more about how tired the driver might be in any given circumstance. It might involve a short distance and be based on a lack of sleep the night before. The key message is that if you’re feeling tired, it’s time to pull over.”
Most at risk
Sen Sgt Cleminson said it was important for people to remind each other the annual holiday period, with an increase in celebrations and activities,
contributed to a significant rise in road trauma. “There is a large increase in motorists travelling on our rural roads and heading to and from holiday destinations and, historically, it is motorists aged between 18 and 44 who are most at risk at this time of year,” she said. “I acknowledge the Wimmera is a large geographical area and families are spread far and wide. On Christmas Day in particular people can be
• Wartook Valley mobile black-spot push • Police’s party advice
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tempted to try to meet several family commitments across the region – which often involve lengthy trips in the car. “I encourage people to have discussions within their families to reduce the need for excessive travel. “This might mean celebrating Christmas over a few days rather than trying to be in two or three different places on the one day. “Surely celebrating Christmas on Boxing Day or Christmas Eve is better than never being able to celebrate Christmas again.” Sen Sgt Cleminson said there would be a highly visible police presence on main roads, particularly the Western
Highway during the next three weeks. She said the police aim would aim to ensure people travelled and arrived safely at their destinations. “There will be a continued focus on speed, alcohol or drug impaired driving, fatigue, driver distractions and seat belts,” she said. “There has also been an increase across the Wimmera in incidents involving animals. Again motorists need to drive with additional caution, especially during the early mornings and evenings. “The message is to travel smarter not faster over the Christmas holiday period.” • Police tips on safe travelling, page 6.
• Christmas quiz
April 2015 to September 2015
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