Article: Staggering rise in drunken accidents

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From the Brisbanetimes click here!

Staggering rise in drunken accidents

Staggering rise in drunken accidents
Staff Reporters
August 30, 2011 - 3:00AM

Police have warned about the dangers of walking home when drunk after three pedestrians were hit by cars and killed in the past week while reportedly lying in the road.

State Traffic Support Branch acting Superintendent Paul Fogg said some pedestrians would lay on the road for warmth or trip in the gutter after drinking too much, putting them in the path of traffic.

"In a battle between a car and pedestrian, the car is always going to win," he said.

These incidents were "horrendous" for the motorists who would never "get over the sight", he said.

Queensland records on average 37 pedestrian deaths a year.

This year's death toll is already on the way to the annual average, with 23 pedestrians killed so far.

Two fatalities happened in Queensland in the space of a few hours on the weekend.

An 18-year-old woman died when she was struck by a car at Daisy Hill in Brisbane's south.

It is believed the teenager was lying on the road at the time.

And a 34-year-old man died in Ingham, about 1400km north of Brisbane, after he was run over by a four-wheel drive while he was reportedly lying on the road.

A week earlier in Melbourne, a 20-year-old woman was lying on the road before she was struck and killed by a car.

Superintendent Fogg could not comment on the specifics of the deaths in Daisy Hill and Ingham because regional police were investigating.

He applauded people who did not to drink and drive.

But the senior officer urged drinkers to stop, think and ask "am I capable of getting myself home safely" before walking.

The best option was to "phone a friend" and ask for a lift.

If people did walk home, they should wear bright clothes, remain under the street lights and stay on the footpath.

Read more: http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/staggering-rise-in-drunken-accidents-20110829-1ji5b.html

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"DARWIN"

Donald