Don't Let Your Family Pay the Toll This Christmas

Australian road users have been urged to renew their commitment this Christmas holiday period and beyond to further reduce the nation's tragic road toll.

Federal Parliamentary Secretary for Infrastructure and Transport, Catherine King, said road users have already played a magnificent part in reducing the road toll, but it remained unacceptably high.

She reminded Australians that 66 people died on the nation's roads during the official holiday period last Christmas and New Year.

"Tragically, for some the 'festive season' is one of the worst times of the year, when families lose loved ones in road smashes," Ms King said. "Those tragic losses remain with them in the months and years - and festive seasons - to come.

"I urge all Australians to continue to act to help drive the road toll down further during this festive season, throughout 2011 and beyond.

"In return, the Government remains committed to continue to take actions which will support and complement the efforts of Australian drivers."

To help cut the toll, the Australian Government has invested in a program that every parent with a child learning to drive this Christmas can participate in for free.

"Federally funded and endorsed, keys2drive helps L plate drivers prepare for the hazards of unsupervised driving, and helps teach parents a little bit too.

"Whilst young people only make up 16 per cent of the adult population, they represent one quarter of all the fatalities and serious injuries on our roads.

"I am urging every parent and every student on their L plates to take a keys2drive lesson this holiday period," Ms King said. 

Learner drivers and their supervisors can find out more or enrol for a free lesson at www.keys2drive.com.au.

The Government is also considering a wide range of other measures to cut the annual road toll in 2011, and beyond.

"1509 people died last year on our roads," Ms King said.

"The draft National Road Safety Strategy 2011-2020 outlines a comprehensive plan to cut the carnage.

"The draft strategy is available for public comment until 11 February 2011 and I would encourage all Australians to have their say by visiting my department's website - www.infrastructure.gov.au.

"Road safety should be everyone's priority and, together, we must all continue to focus on further reducing the tragedy of death and injury on our roads," Ms King said.