“This campaign is showing results, each year for five years now, we have combined advertising messages with increased Police enforcement to address high crash rates on the Barton Highway," Yass Valley Council Road Safety Officer, Melissa Weller said.

"Barton crash numbers recorded with speed as a factor have fallen from 15.3 per cent in 2009-2013 (five year data set) with 2010-2014 preliminary data indicating a low of 13.5 per cent.”

Although this is a good result, crash rates on the Barton are still too high averaging over 26 crashes a year, resulting in 22 injuries and at least one death annually.

Someone that understands the devastating effect that a crash can have is 22-year-old Sam Longmore who had a fatigue related crash on the Barton in 2013 resulting in permanent spinal injury.

“I had been working night shifts in Canberra, I thought I was fine to drive but what I should have done is stayed with a friend instead of driving straight home. My message to others is -don’t take the risk because when something like this happens, you never take life for granted again. No one is invincible – if you are feeling tired think first before you drive”.

Yass Highway Patrol Senior Constable Matt Carroll said Yass Police will continue to work in partnership with Yass Valley Council for the Barton Highway enforcement campaigns. 

"We will maintain a visible presence on the Barton to ensure the safety of road users, during this enforcement period we will be focusing on not only speed but fatigue, mobile phone use and impaired drivers," he said.