“The purpose of driving a motor vehicle is to safely make it from one place to another place – every time!” Casey Highway Patrol Leading Senior Constable, Glenn Dunn said.
LSC Dunn is challenging you to take a second to recall the moment that you passed your practical driving test.
If you got your licence in Victoria, it went something like this: “Congratulations you have passed!” says the VicRoads assessor.
How did you feel? What emotions were you experiencing?
Your world had just opened up – freedom and independence were now yours!
You then went into the VicRoads customer service centre and spoke to the person behind the licensing counter.
You completed some paperwork had your photo taken and then you signed a document.
Your signature was then transposed across onto the VicRoads database and then later onto your driver licence card.
The moment that you signed that document you were making a promise. You were signing a social contract. You were giving your word that you will be a safe driver and that you acknowledge that you have a duty of care when driving a motor vehicle.
If you got your licence elsewhere in Australia or overseas you probably went through a similar process.
Sergeant Heather Allen said the road system only works when everyone keeps their word to be a safe driver.
“The moment a driver doesn’t keep their word they are putting all other road users at risk,” Sgt. Allen said.
“The selfish decision to run an orange or red light puts other people travelling on that road at risk of a collision.
“The selfish decision to look away from the road for a few seconds to check a message on your phone puts other road users at risk.
“The selfish decision to take those illicit drugs or have those few extra drinks prior to driving puts other road users at risk.”
Acting Sergeant Paul Holland said Casey Highway Patrol will be out patrolling the roads this Christmas and holiday period to hold you to account for the promise that you made the day you got your licence.
“We want you to consider not just yourself but other Road users when you are out driving on the roads, thinking of the impact your driving decisions may have on your families, friends or loved ones, wherever your Journey takes you this festive period,” Acting Sgt. Holland said.
“We will be checking your speed by using hand held lasers and moving mode radars, we will be conducting breath tests on every vehicle intercepted and we will be conducting drug tests. “All with the aim of holding you to account for the promise that you made on the day that you got your licence.
“We have ticket books and a pen and we will not be afraid to use them, all with the aim of holding you to account for breaking your promise!”
Casey Highway Patrol wishes you and your families a Merry Christmas and a Safe & Happy New Year and hope they don’t have to have any roadside conversations with you.
