Fed: Christmas road toll climbs to 13

AAP General News (Australia)
12-24-2007
Fed: Christmas road toll climbs to 13

EDS: AAP's Xmas/New Year road toll figures are for the period 0001 December 21 to 2359
January 4. Some state and territory police forces may use different road toll periods.





SYDNEY, Dec 24 AAP - Prime Minister Kevin Rudd recalled his own father's road death
in a plea today for Australians to drive safely, and the nation's Christmas holiday road
toll climbed to 13.

Victoria now has the nation's highest road toll - four - after a woman died in a head-on
collision in the state's north this afternoon.

Mr Rudd earlier pleaded with Australians to remain vigilant about their safety, as
the busiest 48 hours on Australia's roads approaches.

"At this time of year many of us travel long, long distances, driving to see our families
for Christmas and for the new year," Mr Rudd said in a televised Christmas message.

"As someone who lost his dad nearly 40 years ago in a car accident, can I say to everyone:
Please, please drive carefully.

"Take a break, have a rest, make sure you're not driving too tired."

Three motorists have died on Western Australian roads since the holiday road toll period
began on Friday, two people have died on roads in South Australia and NSW, and one each
in Queensland and the ACT.

Tasmania and the Northern Territory remain fatality-free.

Victoria's toll climbed to four when a woman in her 70s died instantly in a head-on
collision on the Goulburn Valley Highway near Nagambie, 135km north of Melbourne, about
4pm (AEDT) today.

NSW Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione said police would be proactive in patrolling
roads this festive season.

"We've got every available officer out, particularly in some of the country areas,"

Mr Scipione told reporters in Sydney.

"All leave has been cancelled, and they are ready, and they are waiting."

Mr Scipione said the next 48 hours were traditionally the busiest and most congested
on the nation's roads.

"When it is wet, slow down ... If you're tired, stop, and if you're going to drink,
don't drive," he said.

"Don't let one moment of madness on the road ruin your life and create a tragedy for others."

Last year 61 people died on the nation's roads during the Christmas-New Year period.

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KEYWORD: TOLL NATIONAL SECOND NIGHTLEAD

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