On the road
The NT Police work to reduce the number of road crashes by promoting safe road use to all road users in the Territory.
The Traffic Operations Division (outlined below) coordinates national and Territory-wide road safety campaigns and traffic control including major public events such as regional shows, football carnivals, the Super Cars Championship, rural race days, the Camel Cup, Henley-on-Todd and the Darwin Cup.
- Traffic Operations
The Darwin Traffic Operations, Northern Traffic Operations and Southern Traffic Operations units are based in Darwin, Katherine and Alice Springs. These units are responsible for traffic education and enforcement.
- Major Crash Investigation
Major Crash Investigation units in Darwin and Alice Springs include qualified crash investigators who are responsible for major and serious injury crashes within the Northern Territory.
- Road Policing
The Road Policing Policy Unit provides advice on road safety legislation, policy and procedure for road safety management and best practice road policing strategies.
- Speed Camera
The Speed Camera Unit consists of three speed camera vans located in Darwin and Alice Springs and is responsible for the detection of speeding motorists in those locations. The speed camera vans are also utilised in other centres during traffic campaigns and localised traffic operations.
- Police Infringement Office
The Police Infringement Office is responsible for ensuring the competent reviewing of all speed camera photographs and the checking of all Infringement Notices issued in the Northern Territory.
Police work closely with the Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics and the Department of Health.
On the water
Going out on the water is a great part of the Territory lifestyle, but safety is essential – no one wants a disaster. The only way to make sure your boating trip is the relaxing experience you planned, is to think ‘boating safety’, before, during and after your voyage.
- Before
- don’t over estimate your boat
- don’t over estimate your ability as a sailor
- check the weather forecasts
- study a chart of the area
- check all equipment
- carry a checklist of safety gear
- tell someone where you are going
- tell someone when you return or have arrived at your destination
- carry out checks with another station on your marine radio before proceeding to sea
- Safety gear checklist
- two compasses, one fitted and one hand-held for taking bearings of points ashore
- marine radio
- a distress beacon or Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB)
- inflatable life raft or tender
- life jackets (enough for all on board) fitted with whistle and salt water activated light
- orange ‘V’ sheet
- flares and orange smoke markers
- heliographic distress signalling mirror
- area dye marker
- life buoys, with flag marker buoy and strobe light or flashing buoy light attached
- marine overboard buoyant recovery line and attached float
- two strong lanyard bailing buckets with lanyards attached
- manually operated bilge pumps
- softwood or rubber plugs for blocking hull openings
- two water resistant, floating torches with spare bulbs and batteries, or one torch and one set of chemically activated light sticks
- two anchors with chain (or wire) and warp, one designed for heavy weather and the other for fair weather
- oars or paddles, as appropriate
- emergency steering arrangement, e.g. tiller
- tools, repair and spare gear kits for engine, rigging and sails, as appropriate
- fire extinguishers
- emergency ‘grab bag’, stowed adjacent to the distress beacon (EPIRB), carrying basic survival equipment plus survival rations of water and high energy foods.
- During
- listen for official strong wind or gale warnings from coastal radio stations, and also weather reports that may be broadcast by other boats.
- be prepared to turn back to shore if the weather turns bad or equipment gives you trouble. A collective decision to press on regardless is often fatal.
- don’t go so far out that you may have trouble getting back in time.
- make regular checks on your exact position and make a note of it in case you need it in an emergency.
- travel at a speed to suit the sea conditions.
- if sailing, adjust sail area to suit wind strength.
- enjoy yourself, but never take unnecessary risks.
- After
- make sure that all your sail plan contacts know that you have completed your trip.
- stow away all your gear carefully, replace any supplies which were used, and repair any equipment that failed to operate during the voyage. The safest way to set out is in a properly maintained boat.
Source: Australian Maritime Safety Authority
For more information visit Marine Safety