The response to Fairfax Tasmania reporting on Adam Brooks speeding is astounding.
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We live in a state where our road toll is one of the highest per capita.
The same day he was caught speeding, Tasmania Police released a statement pleading with Tasmanians to drive to the conditions, avoid speeding and pay attention. It was also the day after 2018 recorded its third road toll victim in just two weeks - in Adam Brooks' electorate, in fact.
It comes as Fairfax Tasmania is in the middle of a campaign that aims to keep Tasmanians safe on our roads.
We've been sharing harrowing stories as part of our In Your Hands campaign about the devastating impact road carnage - caused by speeding, alcohol, inattention and fatigue - has on families and communities.
The news broke over the weekend that Mr Brooks was nabbed travelling 15 kilometres over the speed limit on his way home from a darts tournament on Saturday.
He released a statement confirming he was caught speeding on his way home to the North-West after attending the event.
“Speeding is never OK and there is no excuse, and I’ll face the consequences and pay the fine when I receive the infringement notice,” he said.
Mr Brooks is a politician. Like all pollies, he is elected and paid a wage, by us, the taxpayers, to be a public figure and represent his electorate. Part of that job involves being a role model, and when you're a role model, you should be held to the same standards as everyone else, if not higher.
The reason his speeding made the news is because he is in that position. Regardless, 15 kilometres over the speed limit is not acceptable. Every kilometre over the speed limit you travel increases the risk of death to you or another road user on impact.
When confronted, Mr Brooks rightly told the community what he did was unacceptable. He said speeding was dangerous and that he had done the wrong thing.
It was the comments on social media suggesting it wasn't a big deal that really show how far our society still is from really understanding the dangers of speeding.
Fairfax Tasmania asked Mr Brooks on Tuesday if he would tell those people on Facebook, who are downplaying his speeding, that they are wrong.
So far, he hasn’t responded. We will keep trying, and we will keep telling these stories in the hope that someone out there is listening.