Road safety plea as 2024 road toll for Townsville District climbs to eight
The year is shaping up to be another tragic one on North Queensland roads, as a spike in fatal crashes has police urgently calling on drivers to take heed and prevent more needless losses.
Townsville
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The year is shaping up to be another tragic one on North Queensland roads, as a spike in fatal crashes has police urgently calling on drivers to take heed and prevent more needless losses.
The Queensland Police Service is currently at the midway point of its statewide school holiday road safety operation, Operation Cold Snap. Despite their efforts, four more people have tragically died in accidents across the state.
Mount Isa has recently been the scene of two fatal crashes over an eight-day period, claiming the lives of local motorcyclist Shane Jennings and Cairns-based outback rigger Travis Dupuy.
Meanwhile, the Townsville region has also seen a concerning spike with eight people killed in road crashes in 2024 so far, compared to just three at this time last year.
Acting Chief Superintendent Chris Lawson expressed deep concern over the alarming spike in fatalities.
“That is really concerning to us because that means there are families and communities that are really feeling the impact of road trauma, and we need to make sure we stamp it out,” he said.
With numerous people travelling into town for events like the Townsville show and the V8 Supercars, Superintendent Lawson urged motorists to be extra mindful on the road.
His warning comes after a 46-year-old man was intercepted allegedly travelling at 153km/h in a 110km zone on the Flinders Highway, Mingela, last Saturday.
This level of speeding results in an automatic six-month license suspension and a hefty fine.
“It’s really concerning when we see some of the behaviour that’s occurring on the highway,” Lawson said.
He said on top of the road toll, the district had also seen a number of people that have passed away as a result of off road buggy and quad bike accidents often on rural farms.
“It’s really imperative that people operating machinery like that are aware of the dangers that are associated with it, and they drive those vehicles to the conditions and not trying to exceed their capabilities,” he said.
The issue of speeding in road work areas remains a significant concern in Townsville. Recently, a person was hospitalised after a serious crash involving a truck and a vehicle at the roadworks along Lakeside Dr, Idalia, last Thursday.
“We actively have our Townsville Highway Patrol out and about in those areas to make sure that people are abiding by the rules as they traverse across the roadworks areas,” Superintendent Lawson said.
“Not only you’re putting your own life at danger and other road users, but you’ve got traffic controllers there that also deserve to get home safely every night. So it’s imperative across the whole community that we obey the signs as we see them approaching those areas.”
Townsville’s road toll year to date (June 21):
2024 – 8
2023 – 3
2022 – 6
2021 – 8
Lives lost in 2024
January 18
Father of four Richard Cooper, 35, died in hospital with critical head injuries after an e-scooter crash in the Townsville CBD.
February 27, 2024
32-year-old Thomas Micheal Brady and 34-year-old Belinda Judy Waltisbuhl from Sydney were killed outside Cardwell, at Damper Creek in a single-vehicle crash.
March 14
Respected grazier Cam Maxwell, 68, died in hospital two weeks after a motorbike crash along Hornes Road, Broughton on March 14.
March 15
An 83-year-old man died after his car collided with a water truck on the Flinders Highway Richmond on Friday, March 15.
April 23
Vincent man Michael Wehrman, 19, died following an alleged hit and run crash in Heatley about 4.40pm on Apr 23. Police alleged that a Holden Commodore and dirt bike were travelling in opposite directions along Dalrymple Service Road before they crashed near a school.
April 30
Gumlu woman Christine Hinds, 70, died after her Hyundai i30 was in a head-on crash with another car on the Burce Highway near Inkerman on April 30.
June 5
A 49-year-old Ingham man died at the scene a single-vehicle accident on the Flinders Highway west of Charters Towers. Police said it appeared his car left the road and hit a tree near Homestead.
Originally published as Road safety plea as 2024 road toll for Townsville District climbs to eight
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