Fatality Free Friday
Why Fatality Free Friday?
The first Fatality Free Friday in 2007 coincided with the first United Nations Global Road Safety Week. The week represented a unique opportunity to raise worldwide community awareness on road trauma.
Each year, too many people die on Australia's roads. By far the most dangerous days - those which statistically suffer the most deaths - are Friday, Saturday and Sunday. (Data source: Australian Transport Safety Bureau.)
However in the Northern Territory, Friday is traditionally the worst day. Since 2003, on average, more road fatalities have occurred on a Friday than on any other day. (Data source: NT Vehicle Accident Database statistics as at 2 May 2008.)
Road safety is a complex issue but if drivers consciously think about road safety and safe driving for just one Friday in the year, that day's toll - statistically about 5.3 deaths Australia-wide - could be reduced to zero.
That's the aim. Not a single road death in Australia for just one day. Just one Fatality Free Friday.
Northern Territory Police, Fire and Emergency Services issued this Media Release on Thursday 15 May.
Stay alive on Fatality Free Friday Police strongly urge motorists to drive safely tomorrow, in a united aim to keep Friday 16 May, Fatality Free across Australia. More than 1500 people die each year on Australian roads and since 2003, on average, more road fatalities in the Territory have occurred on a Friday. Road deaths can be prevented and police continue to urge motorists to take responsibility for keeping the roads safe for everyone who shares them. "19 people have tragically died on Territory roads this year and this is 19 lives too many. Fatal crashes can happen at any time to anyone, and are devastating to the friends and families of those involved, regardless of who may be at fault. As always, Police urge motorists to be responsible by obeying the road rules, not speeding, not drinking when driving and not acting like idiots behind the wheel, endangering not only themselves, but also other road users”, said Superintendent Road Safety Division, Bob Rennie.
The initiative, which is being held for the first time in the Territory, began on Monday 12 May. It has been adopted in New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria. Fatality Free Friday is an excellent opportunity for motorists to recommit themselves to road safety and think about their on-road attitudes and eliminate dangerous behaviours, such as speeding, drink driving, tailgating and not driving to suit the road conditions. Throughout the week the Department of Planning and Infrastructure has targeted motorists using radio advertisements, roadside variable message boards and a dedicated website, to reduce the road toll in a traditionally high risk period.
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| Roadside variable message boards around Darwin carry this message: | Make this Friday Fatality Free Friday Please drive safely |
Listen to the Northern Territory's radio ads:
- This Friday is Fatality Free Friday (mp3 730kb)
- Today is Fatality Free Friday (mp3 730kb)
For more information and resources see the national website - Fatality Free Friday
