THE Longtails usually complete a show with ‘Roadhouse Blues’ by the Doors and that famous opening line, “keep your eyes on the road and your hands upon the wheel” was certainly running through my brain last week as I criss-crossed six NT highways.
As the Minister for Transport I conducted valuable research on the road as I covered country from Darwin to the West Arnhem Shire onto the Roper Gulf, Borroloola and the Barkly Tableland.
On route I witnessed everything from road conditions to heavy haulage road trains, massive escorted wide loads, military convoys, copious grey nomad caravans, backer-packers, NT locals, motor vehicle breakdowns and a serious road accident testifying to the complex road usage throughout the Territory and the special nature of our road transport networks.
Road Safety is an extremely important element as part of my ministerial portfolio and any fatality on Territory roads is one too many marking road safety as everyone’s responsibility!
The bottom line on road safety involves common sense that relates to everything from the roadworthiness of the vehicle you operate in varying conditions to wearing a seatbelt including correct cabin restraint of children and infants.
Speed kills and drink driving is totally unacceptable and to be a responsible road user the planning of a trip must be factored in taking into account the time you may choose to leave the club the night before and a real awareness of the vast distances covered in the Territory and therefore driver fatigue management.
As I travel extensively throughout the NT and observe the many road safety issues on our highways and rural roads I reflect on the message ‘drive to arrive’ that seems to underpin the total concept of the road safety campaign.
The Northern Territory ‘Picnic Day’ long weekend represents the last in a string of public holidays throughout the dry season and another time when Territorians are out there on our roads and at this time of year mixed up in the maze of ‘not so’ experienced outback road users from south of Capricorn!
So take care and spare a thought for our hard working NT Police, Fire and Emergency Services who will be working over the long weekend to keep Territorians and all road users safe and that includes increased highway patrols and random breath testing.
The last verse of Roadhouse Blues cites Jim Morrison’s rock and roll madness as he “woke up this morning and got myself a beer” which may be on the cards for some punters this weekend however make sure the car is safely locked away, someone else is skippering the boat and you are well and truly off the road before taking on another fabulous Territory holiday weekend!
Bon voyage for all those lucky enough to get away this long weekend and drive responsibly because your behaviour on the road impacts on everyone including other road users and the precious families waiting back home for their safe return.