Now, last year was a horrendous year on our roads, sixty lives lost last year alone. Six have been lost so far this year. Now police are doing all that they can in an effort to stop people doing the wrong thing on our roads and really minimize that risk not only of losing lives but also serious injury. Now joining us on the show is Superintendent Rick mcgrae. Good morning to you.

Now, last year was a horrendous year on our roads, sixty lives lost last year alone. Six have been lost so far this year. Now police are doing all that they can in an effort to stop people doing the wrong thing on our roads and really minimize that risk not only of losing lives but also serious injury. Now joining us on the show is Superintendent Rick mcgrae. Good morning to you.

Rick, Good morning Katie, thanks for having me on.

Rick, Good morning Katie, thanks for having me on.

Yeah, good to have you in the studio. Now, talk me through what police have got planned for this Easter long weekend.

Yeah, good to have you in the studio. Now, talk me through what police have got planned for this Easter long weekend.

First off, Yeah.

First off, Yeah.

This Easter, we've got a lot planned all throughout the territory which is really good. So obviously it's a time of year when a lot of people will start making the most of the change in the weather and get out camping and head out.

This Easter, we've got a lot planned all throughout the territory which is really good. So obviously it's a time of year when a lot of people will start making the most of the change in the weather and get out camping and head out.

Rural so we will have a real big focus.

Rural so we will have a real big focus.

In that both up here in the top end and down in the southern region as well. So I think the message for drivers is really you know, you will expect to see police some stage over this long weekend, so let's make.

In that both up here in the top end and down in the southern region as well. So I think the message for drivers is really you know, you will expect to see police some stage over this long weekend, so let's make.

Sure it's a really good encounter with us rather than yeah one.

Sure it's a really good encounter with us rather than yeah one.

Well, and so obviously additional RBTs. I'm assuming, you know, I'm making sure that people are doing the right thing, but having a real focus on the fatal five.

Well, and so obviously additional RBTs. I'm assuming, you know, I'm making sure that people are doing the right thing, but having a real focus on the fatal five.

Yeah, that's correct, And the RBTs are our real focus at the moment. It's something that we're really really pushing a lot. So, yeah, not just this easter, but ongoing and already this year, we're really focusing on those RBTs and having those interactions with drivers. Unfortunately, last year, I think the statistics so far sort of show us that alcohol and drugs were a factor and in close to seventy five percent of our fatality.

Yeah, that's correct, And the RBTs are our real focus at the moment. It's something that we're really really pushing a lot. So, yeah, not just this easter, but ongoing and already this year, we're really focusing on those RBTs and having those interactions with drivers. Unfortunately, last year, I think the statistics so far sort of show us that alcohol and drugs were a factor and in close to seventy five percent of our fatality.

So that's really where we're putting our focus in those rb two.

So that's really where we're putting our focus in those rb two.

I mean, it's really bad in the sense that we all know you shouldn't be getting behind the wheel of your vehicle after you've been drinking or after you've been taking any kind of substance, you know, And the fact that people continue to do that despite the loss of life and the serious injury that we see on our roads as well.

I mean, it's really bad in the sense that we all know you shouldn't be getting behind the wheel of your vehicle after you've been drinking or after you've been taking any kind of substance, you know, And the fact that people continue to do that despite the loss of life and the serious injury that we see on our roads as well.

Yeah, it's absolutely horrible. So and it's something that's so easily avoided. So when we talk about making that change and driving like our lives are worth living, that's one really big thing that people can focus on is there.

Yeah, it's absolutely horrible. So and it's something that's so easily avoided. So when we talk about making that change and driving like our lives are worth living, that's one really big thing that people can focus on is there.

Going to be like you said that there will be plenty of like a real RBT presence. Are we expecting like can you say what areas or can we just expect them to be everywhere?

Going to be like you said that there will be plenty of like a real RBT presence. Are we expecting like can you say what areas or can we just expect them to be everywhere?

Respect them to be everywhere?

Respect them to be everywhere?

Yeah, like I said, we really you know, we do understand that a lot of people at this time of the year will get out and go remote a lot. So I think there's a big clue there. But then also in town, we'll also be increasing our presence, you know with roaming patrols and then also stationary RBT. So it really is expect us to be anywhere at any time. We're really trying to put the random in random breath testing.

Yeah, like I said, we really you know, we do understand that a lot of people at this time of the year will get out and go remote a lot. So I think there's a big clue there. But then also in town, we'll also be increasing our presence, you know with roaming patrols and then also stationary RBT. So it really is expect us to be anywhere at any time. We're really trying to put the random in random breath testing.

Yep, Hey, I was saying to you if just a few moments ago, I mean, we know that we had sixty lives lost last year, the six already lost this year on our roads. You know, it is it's a better outcome than what it was at this time last year, but that's still six territories whose lives have been lost. And we also then just on Monday, I caught up with Saint John, as I do on a Monday morning, and they were running me through you know, the different car crashes that they'd been out to and the serious injuries that they're dealing with when they go out to these road crashes. I mean, that's another big factor. I always think that sometimes we look at the at the death toll and we go, Okay, we're tracking along a little bit better this year, but the number of people that are still seriously injured on our roads is really high.

Yep, Hey, I was saying to you if just a few moments ago, I mean, we know that we had sixty lives lost last year, the six already lost this year on our roads. You know, it is it's a better outcome than what it was at this time last year, but that's still six territories whose lives have been lost. And we also then just on Monday, I caught up with Saint John, as I do on a Monday morning, and they were running me through you know, the different car crashes that they'd been out to and the serious injuries that they're dealing with when they go out to these road crashes. I mean, that's another big factor. I always think that sometimes we look at the at the death toll and we go, Okay, we're tracking along a little bit better this year, but the number of people that are still seriously injured on our roads is really high.

Yeah.

Yeah.

I think there's two parts to that, Katie, And I think the thing is is last year was our worst year in over a decade. So whilst it must look like we're doing quite well this year, I don't really want us to be comparing it to our worst, Like, let's let's strive for better than that. So six lives are still just way too many lives lost. But yeah, you've touched on it there, Like the fatalities are really just the tip of the iceberg, you know, Like unfortunately they're the worst of what we see on our roads. But as Saint John would have really been able to allude to, like, there's a lot of road trauma outside of that as well.

I think there's two parts to that, Katie, And I think the thing is is last year was our worst year in over a decade. So whilst it must look like we're doing quite well this year, I don't really want us to be comparing it to our worst, Like, let's let's strive for better than that. So six lives are still just way too many lives lost. But yeah, you've touched on it there, Like the fatalities are really just the tip of the iceberg, you know, Like unfortunately they're the worst of what we see on our roads. But as Saint John would have really been able to allude to, like, there's a lot of road trauma outside of that as well.

So yeah, and like life changing stuff, you know, some of those injuries change your life forever.

So yeah, and like life changing stuff, you know, some of those injuries change your life forever.

Yep.

Yep.

And it's not just sure life, it's changing. It's a life of your family, the life of your kids. You know, people depending on you, You depending on other people. So yeah, all for one bad choice, one mistake, but if people have the right attitude on our roads, they can really avoid that. Like going through a lot of the the coronial files and files that we see at work, you look at all these incidents and they are avoidable. So they're avoidable through people making better choices.

And it's not just sure life, it's changing. It's a life of your family, the life of your kids. You know, people depending on you, You depending on other people. So yeah, all for one bad choice, one mistake, but if people have the right attitude on our roads, they can really avoid that. Like going through a lot of the the coronial files and files that we see at work, you look at all these incidents and they are avoidable. So they're avoidable through people making better choices.

Yep, and that's what we all need to make sure that we do. You know, if not for yourself, do it for your family as well, and do it for you know, the other people that are using our roads. Let's all respect each other and try to look after each other this long weekend.

Yep, and that's what we all need to make sure that we do. You know, if not for yourself, do it for your family as well, and do it for you know, the other people that are using our roads. Let's all respect each other and try to look after each other this long weekend.

Yeah, it really is everyone's responsibility.

Yeah, it really is everyone's responsibility.

I know that's something we say a lot, but you know, we strive to be anywhere at any time, but can't be everywhere at all times. So it really comes up to people making better choices. But even trying to influence your family to make better choices. So you know, if you're aware that someone's having risky driving behavior, be a drink driving or speeding, really try and get the message through to them.

I know that's something we say a lot, but you know, we strive to be anywhere at any time, but can't be everywhere at all times. So it really comes up to people making better choices. But even trying to influence your family to make better choices. So you know, if you're aware that someone's having risky driving behavior, be a drink driving or speeding, really try and get the message through to them.

Yeah, Rick, can I ask in terms of the upcoming long weekends, like, obviously we got this weekend, Easter long weekend, but then we've got a few in a row. So I'm expecting that the Northern Territory Police, our road policing crews are going to be out everywhere over those long weekends.

Yeah, Rick, can I ask in terms of the upcoming long weekends, like, obviously we got this weekend, Easter long weekend, but then we've got a few in a row. So I'm expecting that the Northern Territory Police, our road policing crews are going to be out everywhere over those long weekends.

Yeah, that's correct, And look that's a really good, really good point to you know, really think of those people who are giving up their long weekends and giving up their family time to keep people safe. So my hat's off to everyone who's doing that. But yeah, really we will have a really good presence over those long weekends. We identify them as risky times, so we will definitely have our resources out and about.

Yeah, that's correct, And look that's a really good, really good point to you know, really think of those people who are giving up their long weekends and giving up their family time to keep people safe. So my hat's off to everyone who's doing that. But yeah, really we will have a really good presence over those long weekends. We identify them as risky times, so we will definitely have our resources out and about.

Well, Superintendent Rick mcgree, it is always good to catch up with you, mate. Thank you very much for joining us in the studio, and you know, to everybody out there listening, please take care on our roads as we head into the long weekend and a number of long weekends. You know, the last thing that I'm sure you want, Rick and your teams within you know, the police want is to be heading out to fatalities. The last thing Christain I want is to get on air next week and be reporting on the loss of life of wonderful territories. Nobody wants a situation where their loved ones not coming home.

Well, Superintendent Rick mcgree, it is always good to catch up with you, mate. Thank you very much for joining us in the studio, and you know, to everybody out there listening, please take care on our roads as we head into the long weekend and a number of long weekends. You know, the last thing that I'm sure you want, Rick and your teams within you know, the police want is to be heading out to fatalities. The last thing Christain I want is to get on air next week and be reporting on the loss of life of wonderful territories. Nobody wants a situation where their loved ones not coming home.

Yeah yeah, We'll definitely much rather be proactive over this long weekend and not reactive. So we really hope yourself and everyone else has a really safe Easter and drive safely.

Yeah yeah, We'll definitely much rather be proactive over this long weekend and not reactive. So we really hope yourself and everyone else has a really safe Easter and drive safely.

Yeah you too, And a big thanks to all the police who are going to be working incredibly hard over the long weekend. Rick, thanks mate, thanks for joining us in the studio.

Yeah you too, And a big thanks to all the police who are going to be working incredibly hard over the long weekend. Rick, thanks mate, thanks for joining us in the studio.