It happens every time it’s a holiday period or long weekend. 

The police and government try to put out the message that being safe behind the wheel is crucial. 

However, it doesn’t seem to matter what these advertisements say or portray, there is always someone willing to break the rules. 

Just last week in Griffith there was a young hoon caught by police driving way over the speed limit. 

This sort of behaviour is just not acceptable. 

All drivers deserve to get home to their families each and every night. 

The problem is there are still so many out there who believe they are above the law. 

The question is, how do these messages of “drink driving is dangerous”, “speeding kills” and many more – actually work to get through to those that seemingly take the law into their own hands at the risk of their lives and motorists around them. 

Of course there are instances where terrible accidents happen and that’s exactly what these are – accidents. 

However, in other circumstances crashes and loss of life do come about all over this country because someone was being careless. 

They were speeding, texting or drink driving. 

Advertising campaigns have long tried to scare drivers off this behaviour, but perhaps it isn’t working. 

However, what other solution is there? 

Police can’t sit in on every drive we take to make sure we do the right thing. 

If the loss of life doesn’t scare someone into becoming a safe driver or not getting behind the wheel when drinking, what does? 

Unfortunately because driving is something many of us do each and every day we tend to become lax and think “that won’t happen to me”. 

But it does. 

One only needs to look at the state’s road toll each and every year to know people of all ages die in car accidents every year. 

The hurt is far-reaching for those left behind and that pain never goes away. 

Everyone has a responsibility to follow the road rules. They are there for a reason and that is to protect all of us.