Police operation begins
DANGEROUS drivers could find themselves sidelined if they give Victoria Police a reason to penalise them this AFL grand final long weekend.
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Victoria Police launched Operation Scoreboard, which runs statewide from midnight on Thursday to midnight on Sunday.
There will be a high-profile police presence across Melbourne and the rest of the state, with an increased focus on drink and drug driving, speed, fatigue, distraction offences and seatbelt compliance.
Before footy fans start celebrating they should take the time to plan how they will get to and from the MCG, licenced venues, gatherings and other social events.
Despite a fatality-free long weekend last year, there were about 120 collisions where road users suffered injuries while 250 drink drivers and 202 drug drivers were caught.
In 2015 three people lost their lives and there were over 150 collisions resulting in injuries.
Road trauma costs more than $3 billion each year and speed directly contributes to at least 30 per cent of deaths on our roads.
We want all Victorians and interstate visitors to get out and enjoy the grand final long weekend but we need them to do that safely. It’s really simple. If you’re going to drink – don’t drive. There are plenty of other transport options available and there’s no excuse for driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
By taking a few minutes to make alternative travel plans, you could avoid a potentially life-changing accident.
Lisa Neville, Minister for Police
Raising stroke awareness
NATIONAL Stroke Week has wrapped up for another year and with your help we have moved closer to our goal of ensuring every Australian household has someone who knows the signs of stroke and to call 000.
On behalf of the Stroke Foundation, I would like to thank you for your support.
National Stroke Week is the Stroke Foundation’s annual campaign to shine a light on this terrible disease.
It’s an opportunity for all Australians to learn about stroke, how to prevent it and what to do if you suspect someone is having a stroke. I am confident there are many more people across the community who now know about the F.A.S.T message thanks to the 3000-plus Stroke Week events. However there is still so much more to be done.
Stroke kills more men than prostate cancer, more women than breast cancer and leaves thousands with an ongoing disability. But it doesn’t have to be this way. Stroke is largely preventable, it can be treated and it can be beaten.
But too many people still do not know what to do if faced with a stroke emergency. Too many people only learn about stroke once it touches a loved one, colleague, friend or themselves. This must change.
Stroke Foundation is aiming to etch F.A.S.T in the Australian psyche. We want F.A.S.T to be as well-known as like the iconic slip, slop, slap sun protection campaign. To do this we need your support.
The FAST test is an easy way to recognise and remember the signs of stroke. It involves asking these simple questions:
- Face – Check their face. Has their mouth drooped?
- Arms – Can they lift both arms?
- Speech – Is their speech slurred? Do they understand you?
- Time – Time is critical. If you see any of these signs, call 000 straight away
Stroke attacks the brain, changing lives in an instant. Up to 1.9 million brain cells die every minute treatment is delayed.
Paramedics, nurses and doctors can only help if people recognise the signs of stroke, dial 000 and get to hospital quickly. Time saved equals brain saved.
It will take the combined efforts of the community, health professionals and governments to stop stroke. I know together we can prevent, treat and beat stroke.
Sharon McGowan, chief executive, Stroke Foundation
