An article in today's Courier mail features our very own Sgt Newman (pictured on the right). The article reads:
A National study shows an alarming number of Queensland drivers believe it is acceptable to speed and use a mobile phone while on the road.In the wake of another disturbing holiday road toll, the Federal Department of Transport survey of 1500 drivers makes it clear motorists are ignoring safety messages.
The report found:
The report found:
• Nearly two-thirds admitted taking and making phone calls while behind the wheel;
• More than a quarter considered it OK to exceed the speed limit "so long as you drive safely";
• Five per cent admitted they had driven in the past year while under the influence of alcohol;
• An alarming 67 per cent of women and 42 per cent of men did not know how many standard drinks they could have in the first hour and remain under the limit.
The results come on the back of a traumatic holiday on the state's roads which left 11 people dead. Another four have died since the end of the official holiday period. Metropolitan North Regional Traffic Co-ordinator Acting Inspector Mark Yabsley said it showed too many drivers were prepared to put others' lives at risk. He said it was easy to see why the toll was high.Federal Transport Minister Anthony Albanese said he was particularly concerned by the spike in motorists' mobile phone use revealed in the survey, up from 47 per cent in 2005 to 61 per cent last year. .
