NT: Territorians speed and drink drive over holiday period
28 Jan 2009 6:35 PM
DARWIN, Jan 28 AAP - More than 800 infringement notices were issued each week to drivers in the Northern Territory during the holiday period, with 252 people caught for drink driving and six lives lost.
The statistics from the six-week campaign, released on Wednesday, prompted NT Assistant Commissioner Grahame Kelly to say: "a line needs to be drawn in the sand".
"Six road deaths and the high number of charges and offences show that some people are still not driving safely on Territory roads," said Mr Kelly.
"This group poses a danger to all of us."
The campaign began on December 19 and concluded at midnight on Tuesday night.
More than 4,930 traffic infringement notices were issued during this period, equating to over 820 infringements each week.
Of the 15,057 motorists breath tested, 252 drink drivers were detected.
More than 329 people were fined for not wearing seatbelts and 3,960 traffic infringement notices issued for speeding.
"Speeding infringements show the message concerning excessive speed and road safety are not being heeded," Mr Kelly said.
"That's a concern, particularly when speed figures strongly in fatalities in urban areas."
The road toll for 2009 currently stands at two, with the total for the holiday period coming to six.
"Every death has a devastating effect on the community and we can all contribute to reducing fatalities and serious injuries on Territory roads," Mr Kelly said.
"This can be a year when a line is drawn in the sand by government agencies, road safety bodies, police and road users alike."
A near record road toll for 2008 has raised questions about whether the NT's booze-loving culture could be to blame.
Seventy-five people killed on the road, 18 more than the year before and the highest road toll in more than 20 years.
