The Road Safety Task Force (RSTF) launched a new campaign today aiming to deter drivers from breaking the law by highlighting the visible and unseen presence of Tasmania Police on our roads.
The campaign warns that with over 1200 police officers, up to 180 speed cameras and radar devices, 250 breath testers and unlimited drug tests, breaking the law is not worth the risk.
RSTF Chairman Paul Hogan said that the campaign is a reminder to drivers that although you may not see police they have a continual presence and that there are consequences for breaking the law.
“It warns drivers that if they continue to break the law, police have the armoury and intelligence to catch you,” Mr Hogan said.
“You might be lucky and get away with speeding just over the limit, or driving just over 0.05, but this campaign reminds people that police are always patrolling and it’s a risk that they are taking and ultimately they will be caught.
“It’s not just in the major centres that drivers might get caught and contrary to popular opinion it’s not just young people who are breaking the road rules, it’s all sorts of drivers and regional areas as well.
“I think most drivers would find it hard to say that they had never questioned if they were okay to drive after a couple of drinks and considered taking the risk, or found that they were unintentionally driving above the speed limit.
“This campaign reminds drivers to be diligent as Tasmania Police might be in that unmarked police car behind you.
“I think that this campaign will demonstrate that just because you might not see them, doesn’t mean that they aren’t out there or that they haven’t already caught you.”
Assistant Commissioner, Scott Tilyard said police statistics provide a clear indication that police are actively patrolling the roads.
“For example, so far this year Tasmania Police has conducted over 400, 000 random breath tests,” Mr Tilyard said.
“Each month we continue to catch between three and five hundred drivers who are driving over the limit, which equates to at least one in every 200 drivers tested, driving with a BAC of over 0.05.
“This is a frightening statistic when you consider the number of drivers on the road at any given time and on the road around you.
“Continual enforcement in all traffic related areas and in particular for speed and alcohol related offences are important in decreasing the number of people that break the law and have the potential to harm others.
“Given the road toll this year, I think that all Tasmanians would have to agree that there are still people out there who are driving dangerously and this is something that we are serious about changing.
“It is not commonly known that there are Road Safety Task Force Police Officers who are employed specifically to enforce the road rules and who are in addition to Tasmania Police Officers who conduct regular traffic enforcement,” said Mr Tilyard.
Earlier this month, the Premier, David Bartlett announced reforms to combat our rising road toll.
Initiatives included: greater penalties for speed, drink and drug driving as well as approval for extra Automatic Number Plate Recognition cameras and software for police.
“Our campaign alone will not dramatically decrease the road toll, but it certainly highlights a pertinent message and it has even greater relevance now with the new measures and initiatives proposed by the Government,” said Mr Hogan.
“Our message is simple - if you break the law, you will be caught.”
