Following a horrific year of deaths on the road, Australians are being urged to be extra careful behind the wheel over the holidays.

This year, there were more than 1040 fatalities on Australian roads, according to the Australian Road Safety Foundation (ARSF).

From December 23, 2022 to January 3, 2023, there were 36 deaths on Australian roads.

Of those fatalities in that 12-day period, 44 per cent were behind the wheel, 25 per cent were passengers, one in five were motorcyclists, and roughly one in 10 were pedestrians.

Three in five of those deaths were men.

In hopes of encouraging people to stay safe while driving during the holiday period, ARSF unveiled an installation in Brisbane this week: A table with 36 empty chairs, representing the people killed in those 12 days.

“Every death on the road is a tragedy, and those losses are so often heightened over the holiday season, which should be a time of love and laughter, not sadness and grief,” ARSF founder and CEO Russell White said in a press release.

Drivers admit they take risks on the road

According to ARSF research, six in 10 road users admit to taking risks while driving, White said.

“Risks that can very well be the difference between life and death,” he said.

“When so many of the road crashes recorded are entirely preventable, it’s almost unfathomable that the majority of road users continue to put themselves and those around them at risk.”

As everyone has a part to play to keep road fatalities down, the ARSF has a few tips they want everyone to follow.

Drivers need to make sure they are fit to drive and are driving to the conditions. It’s also advised they stay focused and take regular breaks when on long drives.

Passengers should avoid distracting the driver and instead be the “second pair of eyes” in the car.

If someone isn’t fit to drive, don’t get in the car with them.

It’s important that motorcyclists and cyclists are as visible as possible while on the road and wearing protective clothing and a helmet. Like drivers, they also need to be avoiding distractions.

Even pedestrians have a part to play.

Pedestrians should also be as visible as possible and remain alert and aware of road users who are out and about.

And like other road users, they should also avoid being distracted by their phones.