25 Australians killed: What can be done to stop this epidemic right now?

Australians are dying every day from this preventable issue – and it seems they’re still not getting the message, even at Christmas time.

25 people nationwide have died in car accidents in the past week, a devastating blow for the police force after a large campaign that asked drivers to slow down and keep vigilant during the holidays. It seems it has landed on deaf ears.

Sky News reports three separate crashes in NSW and Victoria have pushed the country’s national holiday road toll to 25.

A female driver was killed when two cars collided head-on in Whittingham, northwest of Newcastle yesterday afternoon.

So far the Northern Territory is the only state or territory not to have recorded any road deaths during the holiday toll period, which began last Wednesday and ends on January 3.

The news comes as Margaret River police in WA gave out close to 1000 demerit points in four hours on Monday after they caught 360 speeding drivers on Wallcliffe Road.

It makes us wonder: are drivers really listening? A car is a weapon and also the most dangerous form of transport, yet some people are still taking risks. What more can the government do with their safety messages? If this were any other epidemic, i.e. health related, there’d be many more things in place.

A number of years ago there were graphic ads that hit home the message about reducing speed and being alert, and they were highly effective. Is it time to bring them back?

Share your thoughts below.