Tasmania Police are gearing up for one of their busiest days of the year, with thousands of footy fans set to hit the streets and pubs on Saturday for the AFL grand final.
Officers will be out across the state as revellers pack into venues and public spaces to watch the Geelong Cats take on the Brisbane Lions from 2:30pm.
Acting Inspector Martin Parker said grand final day consistently proves a challenge for emergency services, with incident reports jumping 18% above the average daily tally of 440.
“Police will have officers out across the state tomorrow and we’re encouraging safe and responsible celebrations,” he said.
The mix of big crowds and alcohol can prove to be a recipe for trouble.
With fans expected to start celebrating early and continue well into the night, police are particularly concerned about drink-driving incidents.
“If you’re planning to enjoy a few drinks while watching the game tomorrow please remember to act responsibly, look out for one another and, if you’re attending a licensed premises, behave in an appropriate manner,” Parker said.
The state’s road toll already sits at 35 deaths this year, with authorities desperate to prevent any grand final tragedy.
“Driving under the influence is one of the fatal five causes of fatal and serious crashes on our roads and it’s imperative that anyone who drinks tomorrow has a plan for how to get home safely,” Parker added.
“Being involved in a crash that results in serious injury or death is not the way we want anyone to end their grand final celebrations.”
