Christmas time is here and with so much to do being safe on the road should be a top priority, not just for residents of Young but for everyone on the road.
Police in the Cootamundra Local Area Command (LAC) will launch Operation Safe Arrival 2016 at 12.01am on Friday December 16. For 18 days the operation will be aimed at heightening public awareness and will be focused on drink/drunk drive, fatigue, occupant restraint and speed during the festive and holiday period.
So far this year there has been 343 accidents resulting in 367 fatalities in NSW alone. Cootamundra LAC has had seven fatalities on the road which is down from the 13 deaths that occurred in the area last year.
Though Cootamundra LAC numbers are down regional numbers have increased, according to Acting Inspector Kristin Marshall.
“Plan your trip, take regular breaks, don’t speed or drink drive and of course don’t use a mobile phone or device while driving,” Acting Inspector Marshall said.
It is a timely reminder for all, but in particular P2 drivers who are now facing new conditions. P2 licence holders must not use any function of a mobile phone while driving or riding, or when stationary but not parked as the NSW Government cracks down on the number of fatalities involving younger drivers on NSW roads.
Learner, P1 and P2 licence holders must not use a mobile phone at all while driving. This includes phones in the hands-free mode, with the loud speaker operating or sending text messages. Learner, P1 and P2 licence holders must be parked out of the line of traffic to use a mobile phone in any way.
Learner and P1 drivers and riders penalised for illegally using a mobile phone – four demerit points – will exceed their demerit point threshold and face a three-month licence suspension.
P2 licence holders will have three demerit points remaining if they are penalised for illegally using a mobile phone.
“Use common sense. If drivers aren’t sure about the new rules google them or contact local police who are happy to help,” Acting Inspector Marshall said.
With so many families travelling across the holiday period parents need to be aware of the correct child restraints for their passengers.
National child restraint laws state:
- Children up to the age of six months must be secured in an approved rearward facing restraint
- Children aged from six months old but under four years old must be secured in either a rear or forward facing approved child restraint with an inbuilt harness
- Children under four years old cannot travel in the front seat of a vehicle with two or more rows
- Children aged from four years old but under seven years old must be secured in a forward facing approved child restraint with an inbuilt harness or an approved booster seat
- Children aged from four years old but under seven years old cannot travel in the front seat of a vehicle with two or more rows, unless all other back seats are occupied by children younger than seven years in an approved child restraint or booster seat
- Children aged from seven years old but under 16 years old who are too small to be restrained by a seatbelt properly adjusted and fastened are strongly recommended to use an approved booster seat
- Children in booster seats must be restrained by a suitable lap and sash type approved seatbelt that is properly adjusted and fastened, or by a suitable approved child safety harness that is properly adjusted and fastened.
If your child is too small for the child restraint specified for their age, they should be kept in their current child restraint until it is safe for them to move to the next level.
If your child is too large for the child restraint specified for their age, they may move to the next level of child restraint.
So remember to stay safe, arrive alive and don’t speed because it’s better to be late than not arrive at all this holiday period.
Rebecca Hewson
A local with a love of local news reporting for the people across the Hilltops and Weddin areas.
A local with a love of local news reporting for the people across the Hilltops and Weddin areas.
