SA POLICE has an important message for anyone heading away for a relaxing June long weekend – plan ahead to save your own life.
“Fatigue is a consistent killer over this long weekend on the state’s roads,” SAPOL Traffic Support Branch Superintendent Robert Gray said.
“We know analysis of the crash data from the last five years – both in relation to fatalities and serious injury crashes – shows fatigue is a major issue, particularly on country roads.
“It is vital drivers take responsibility for their own actions and plan their trip to ensure they take regular breaks and share the driving.
“As drivers, we know how dangerous fatigue can be – the heavy eyes, the fading concentration, the micro-sleep are all potential killers.”
Police will run Operation Safe Long Weekend from 3pm today until midnight Monday to deter road users from engaging in behaviour that contributes to fatal and serious injury crashes.
“This can be a deadly weekend on our roads,” Supt Gray said.
“We urge drivers to be attentive and drive to the conditions – so far this year 31 of the state’s 36 fatalities have occurred on rural roads.”
Police will have a coordinated state-wide plan in place to ensure a high-visibility police presence, but urged road users play their part.
Over the past five years there have been 10 deaths and 43 serious injuries over the June long weekend on South Australian roads.
The June long weekend has not been fatality free since 2004.
