Rural doctors are pleading with Australians to drive extra carefully and take their time on the roads over Christmas and New Year, to deliver the best present there is – getting to their families safe and sound, and ready to join in the festivities.
‘Ask anyone what their idea of a great Christmas is, and guaranteed they will not say it is watching their loved ones having to receive critical care in an emergency department following a road accident,’ said Dr Megan Belot, President of the Rural Doctors Association of Australia.
Unfortunately though, this will be the situation in which many families find themselves during the holiday season.
‘Christmas and New Year road crashes are often due to impatient drivers, risky overtaking, speeding, drink or drug driving, or drivers looking at their phone,’ said Dr Belot. ‘Sadly, these accidents impact not just adults, but also the children who are helpless passengers in the back seat.’
Simple strategies
The RDAA says staying safe on the road comes down to some very simple but effective strategies:
- drive safely – give yourself plenty of time to reach your destination, and drive to the speed limit and conditions.
- don’t drink and drive.
- don’t tailgate – leave a long three second gap (at the very least) between you and the vehicle in front.
- take a break if you’re tired.
- don’t look at your phone, search for music, or be distracted reaching for food or drink.
- don’t get distracted by the kids.
- be patient – don’t gamble the safety of your family or friends on risky decisions that are driven by impatience or intolerance of slower drivers.
- ensure the kids have plenty of entertainment options available to them in the car.
What are you risking?
‘Very importantly, don’t overtake in dangerous places – in many cases nowadays, the next overtaking lane is only a matter of kilometres away,’ said Dr Megan Belot.
‘Remember in the past when you have overtaken a slower vehicle and pulled up at the next town only to see it drive past less than five minutes later? Risky overtaking really doesn’t save much time.
‘And even if you are not a driver who takes risks or speeds, make sure you are driving defensively on the highway this Christmas – look well ahead for potential hazards, including vehicles that may be coming towards you on the wrong side of the road.
‘Always be thinking about your best way to avoid a collision should other cars cross onto the wrong side of the road… and before you head out onto the highway, review from trusted sources (like motoring associations) the best course of action to take in order to avoid a collision – many of these organisations have great information online about ways to stay safe when driving.
‘Tragically, 36 people died on our roads during the Christmas holiday period last year – that’s 36 people who didn’t expect their lives to come to an abrupt end,’ said Dr Belot.
‘Please be safe on the roads this Christmas and New Year, because the last thing any of us want to open at Christmas are details about your funeral service.’
