Easter has come to mean many things to many people.
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For Christians, it is about four sacred days commemorating the death and resurrection of Jesus.
According to the bible, Jesus came back to life or was raised from the dead, three days after his death on the cross.
The death of Jesus Christ by crucifixion is commemorated on Sunday.
Through Jesus’ death and resurrection, Christians celebrate life.
For many people who do not identify themselves as Christians the four-day holiday that is Easter is used to catch up with family and friends, have a few drinks and relax.
To some of those people that can mean driving long distances to meet up with loved ones. Unfortunately, some of those people will forever identify Easter with death.
People die on the country’s roads over the Easter weekend every year, that is a fact. Police blame alcohol, reckless driving and fatigue for the road toll every year.
Every year they run road safety campaigns and every year we read in our papers and see on our television news that someone has lost their life on the roads over the Easter long weekend.
Driver fatigue, drunk and reckless driving were the major causes of the deaths.
The Easter weekend is a time when Australians also take long trips to get away on a short holiday.
As the weekend approaches, Police encourage road users to take extra care during their journeys to ensure that they arrive at their destinations and then return home safely.
The message cannot be emphasised enough.
Take regular breaks, share the driving with others and do not drink and drive, if you do, you are putting your life and the lives of others at risk.
A total of 384 lives were lost on NSW roads last year, 31 of those were from the South West region.
These are frightening numbers but every one of those 384 were loved by someone and this Easter will be a sad one for them without that person.
New South Wales police have a zero road toll goal this Easter.
Police will be out in big numbers enforcing road rules and trying their best to deter dangerous speeding, drink-driving and other dangerous behaviors over the Easter break.
Local MP Katrina Hodgkinson said there's no such thing as safe speeding.
“For every kilometre you're over the speed limit you're not only endangering your own life, but the lives of all other road users,” she said.
Her message rings true.
Police are reminding motorists that double demerits apply for five days in NSW from Thursday, April 13 through to Monday April 17 inclusive.
Drivers are encouraged to stay informed and for the latest updates on NSW road conditions visit: www.livetraffic.com<http://www.livetraffic.com>
We at the Young Witness wish all of our readers a happy and safe Easter filled with joy. Our normal Tuesday and Friday publications will resume from next week.
Easter Holiday Garbage and Recycling Changes
The kerbside services for household garbage normally collected on Friday 14th April will be picked up Thursday 13th April. The recycling service 14th April will not occur and residents affected by this are asked to hold their recyclables for an extra week.
Craig Thomson
I am a media and communications professional with experience across print, digital, social and radio broadcasts. I am currently the Editor of Australian Community Media's Launceston Examiner.
I am a media and communications professional with experience across print, digital, social and radio broadcasts. I am currently the Editor of Australian Community Media's Launceston Examiner.
