TAS road toll

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-01-01/20110101---road-toll-down/3754098/?site=&source=rss

Road toll down
Updated Sun Jan 1, 2012 12:20pm AEDT


45-year old motorcyclist Philip Eric Haines of Shearwater was the 26th person to die on the state's roads on Friday.

VIDEO: Tasmania records low road toll (7pm TV News TAS)
MAP: Hobart
Tasmania has recorded its lowest annual road toll in more than 40 years.

26 people died in car crashes last year, down from 31 the previous year and well below the 63 deaths recorded in 2009.

45-year old motorcyclist Philip Eric Haines of Shearwater was the 26th person to die on the state's roads on Friday.

But road safety advocates are not celebrating.

While he welcomes the reduction, the RACT's Harvey Lennon says one death is too many.

"I certainly don't think we ought to be complacent at this point in time," he said.

Mr Lennon says the serious crash rate increased.

Deputy Police Commissioner Scott Tilyard says education is the key to lowering the toll further.

"To a large extent, it depends on the extent to which drivers are prepared to change their driving behaviour," he said.

He says police will maintain their strong presence on the state's roads despite budget cuts.