The NSW deputy police commissioner has pleaded to motorists to start taking personal responsibility for actions, including addressing driver fatigue. Visiting
The NSW deputy police commissioner has pleaded to motorists to start taking personal responsibility for actions, including addressing driver fatigue.
Visiting Newcastle today, Dave Owens urged all drivers to think about their actions because there is only so much police enforcement and education campaigns can achieve.
He says Operation City Roads is increasing the presence of highway patrol cars “but the real power lies with individuals thinking long and hard about alcohol, speed and fatigue”.
“Everyone knows when they are fatigued – even young drivers know the warning signs. The question is what do we do about it? I say take a break, do not push through. You will kill someone,” Owens says.
“When we talk about personal responsibility, when we say ‘It’s about you’, this is what we are talking about. It’s about actually doing something, taking action.”
As well as putting the onus on individuals, Owens says people need to intervene if they notice their family, friends and colleagues driving dangerously.
NSW has suffered a horror road toll this year, climbing to 404 – 90 more than this time last year.