Speeding - what you may not know may cost you $

This week is Queensland Road Safety Week and North Burnett Regional Council councillors have joined the campaign to save lives.

Did you know that speeding is not just driving faster than the posted speed limit?  It's also driving too fast for the prevailing weather, light, traffic and road conditions without full regard for the vehicle's condition and the driver's skills and experience.  Police can, and will, issue tickets under these conditions.

North Burnett Regional Council Mayor, Cr Rachel Chambers explained that for many people it seems speeding is just one of those things they do.

"They wouldn't drink drive because that would be crazy, but they don't mind putting their foot down," Mayor Chambers said.

For people who view speeding in this way, figures released by the Australian Transport Council (2014) may change their mind about the importance of driving to the speed limit and conditions. The study revealed it only takes 10km/h above the speed limit in rural areas, to double the risk of a casualty crash. This is roughly equivalent to the increase in risk associated with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.05.

Current penalties for speeding are:
• Less than 13km/h over the speed limit: $162 + 1 demerit point.
• At least 13km/h but not more than 20km/h over the speed limit: $243 + 3 demerit points.
• More than 20km/h but not more than 30km/h over the speed limit: $406 + 4 demerit points.
• More than 30km/h but not more than 40km/h over the speed limit: $568 + 6 demerit points.
• More than 40km/h over the speed limit: $1,137 + 8 demerit points and 6 month suspension.

However it is the cost of life that hits our friends, families and communities, hardest.

"We all do a lot of driving in this region, it's the nature of the beast, and I know firsthand how easy it is to put your foot down on rural roads. This campaign is a good reminder to us all, to slow down and drive to conditions.  Nothing is more important than your life and the lives of those around you," Mayor Chambers said.

Speeding is one risk factor in the fatal five, the other four being:  drink and drug driving, failure to wear a seatbelt, driving while fatigued and distraction and inattention.  All of which, are being addressed this week by an increase in Queensland Police Service enforcement operations.