Christmas time brings a huge increase in traffic on South Coast roads, and after last year’s horror road toll, drivers have been urged to keep safe.
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Between Christmas and January 12 last year, seven people were killed on Shoalhaven roads. On tuesday, Acting Prime Minister Michael McCormack visited the scene where the Falkholt family was killed on Boxing Day last year, and has urged drivers to stay vigilant this Christmas period.
“I urge that people who are coming here for the busy Christmas holiday period for God’s sake take care,” he said.
“For God’s sake don’t speed, drive defensively, put your seat belt on, don’t drink and drive, have a plan b, and don’t get distracted by mobile phones.”
Police will be out in force during the holiday period to monitor driver behaviour, with double demerits in place from December 21 to January 1, 2019.
The Transport Management Centre has also advised motorists travelling over the holiday period to allow plenty of extra travel time with heavy traffic expected on major roads through Illawarra and South Coast.
The Princes Highway through Albion Park Rail, Nowra, Jervis Bay, Milton and Ulladulla will be very busy with heavy traffic also expected on the Kings Highway through Braidwood, and between Nelligen and Batemans Bay.
The busiest time on the roads is between 10am and 5pm so motorists should consider travelling outside these hours.
NSW Police Assistant Commissioner Michael Corboy said the state’s drivers needed to overcome the ‘it won’t happen to me’ mentality and instead drive to survive.
“Of course no driver deliberately sets off looking for a crash, but every time someone speeds, picks up their mobile phone, or drives tired or inhibited it increases the risk,” he said.
“People need to realise that the broader impact of road trauma goes beyond just the road toll - countless others are seriously, often permanently injured, families are torn apart and our first responders must carry with them the experience of these horrific scenes for the rest of their life.”
Madeline Crittenden
Madeline Crittenden is a journalist for Fairfax Media at the South Coast Register.
Madeline Crittenden is a journalist for Fairfax Media at the South Coast Register.
