PORT DOUGLAS police are urging drivers to be extra vigilant on the roads this Easter after a spate of traffic accidents in recent weeks.

The Captain Cook highway stretch leading into Port Douglas has been notorious for road incidents with a 25 year old Ellis Beach man killed earlier this month, while another crash near Clifton Beach yesterday saw those involved lucky to escape with their lives.

Police and emergency crews were called to the scene near Clifton Beach after a hatchback travelling towards Port Douglas lost control and sideswiped an oncoming station wagon. 

The hatchback then collided with a tree, with an elderly man and women needing to be extracted from the vehicle. The pair were taken to Cairns hospital with minor injuries, while the occupants of the station wagon were uninjured. 

Port Douglas Police Sergent Damien Meadows pleaded with motorists to adhere to the 'Fatal Five' to ensure a safe holiday period. 

"The biggest risk factors for road crashes in Queensland are speed, alcohol and drugs, fatigue, not wearing a seatbelt and driver distraction an inattention," Meadows said.

"Statistically Easter is the worst period for traffic accidents on our roads so we need everyone to be vigilant.

"In a huge percentage of traffic accidents one of the fatal five is a factor. "Now is the time for people to be putting their driving hats on and it's everyone’s responsibility to keep our roads safe."

With school holidays about to start in the Douglas Shire drivers should keep an eye out for kids in and around suburban areas. Road conditions over the next two days should also be considered with showers forecast in the region.

"If there’s wet weather then it's imperative people drive to suit to the conditions," Meadows said. 

“That could mean wiping off 10 km in the rain, slowing down to give yourself more time, and drive to suit the conditions of the road. 

“If we can get everyone adhering to the road rules then everyone can have a safe and happy break."

The Queensland Government has also launched an Easter road safety campaign aimed to 'change the way we look at speed’ following last years horror road toll. Eight people were killed on Queensland roads over a five-day period, the worst Easter toll in more than 20 years, with five caused by speeding.

"This Easter long weekend and school holidays means many families will be traveling on our roads, and I want to urge Queensland motorists to make safety their number one priority on the roads," Mark Bailey, Main Roads and Road Safety Minister, said.

“The campaign theme — Let’s change the way we look at speed — is part of a long-term strategy to discourage and stigmatise speeding among Queensland road users and change attitudes.”

There will also be more speed cameras on the road this long weekend.

Tips to stay safe on the roads this Easter...

• Plan ahead to avoid driving after drinking – organise a lift, catch a cab or public transport, designate a driver or stay at a mate’s place.
  
  
• Never use your phone while driving – it is little different to driving drunk.
  
  
• Don’t rush – stick to the speed limit and allow extra time for your journey.
  
  
• Get a good night’s sleep before you hit the road and make sure you take regular breaks on long trips – fatigue kills.* Always buckle up.
  
  
• Drive to the conditions – increase your following distance and drive slower 
  than the signed speed limit if stuck in bad weather (or delay your trip until the weather clears).
  
  
• Remember – if it’s flooded, forget it.