Dr Michael Kane, RACQ plea to drivers after 30 Bruce Highway deaths

A peak motoring body has revealed alarming survey results, showing the Bruce Hwy as Queensland’s most dangerous road with mounting fatalities and calls for a 10-year funding plan to address urgent safety concerns.

An aerial view of the site of the triple fatal at the intersection of Walker St and the Bruce Highway in Maryborough.

The results of RACQ’s latest Unroadworthy Roads Survey have been described as disappointing yet not surprising by one of the motoring body’s key figures.

Head of public policy Dr Michael Kane said the motoring body had conducted the Unroadworthy Roads Survey for more than two decades and the Bruce Hwy had either been the worst or second worst road every time.

“Rough surfaces, such as potholes, were the most common issue highlighted by Queensland motorists, followed by poor shoulders, narrow lanes, lack of overtaking lanes, and sections prone to flooding,” Dr Kane said.

He said that the rural sections of the Bruce Hwy have a fatal or serious injury crash rate three times higher than rural sections of the Pacific Hwy.

Head of Public Policy Dr Michael Kane said the results were disappointing, but sadly not surprising.

“The stretch between Childers and Gin Gin is the most dangerous,” Dr Kane said.

In the lead-up to the state and federal elections, the RACQ is urging both levels of government to collaborate in fixing the Bruce Hwy. “The Bruce is the backbone of our state, but it’s broken,” Dr Kane said.

“So far this year, 30 people have lost their lives in crashes on the Bruce Hwy — we’ve already surpassed the five-year average of 29 deaths and it’s only September.

“We need the state and federal governments to commit to a 10-year funding arrangement to upgrade all poorly rated two-star sections of the highway.

The Bruce Hwy was cut in both directions near Maryborough and the rescue helicopter called out following a serious crash between a truck and car on Thursday, July 4, 2024.

“We’re also calling for the federal government to return to the pre-existing 80:20 infrastructure funding split with the state government.

“This is a national road, and the federal government must do the heavy lifting to bring it up to standard with other national highways.”

In the survey conducted by RACQ, voters selected the Bruce Hwy as the most unroadworthy road, with 167 out of 528 participants casting their votes.

A statement from the Main Roads Minister Bart Mellish addressed the survey results.

He said the Labor government worked closely with key stakeholders like the RACQ to improve the road network.

“This includes our massive $37.4bn four-year transport investment program prioritising safety, reliability, resilience, accessibility, and regional connectivity,” he said.

The majority of this will be delivered outside of the metropolitan (Brisbane) region, totalling $21.19bn.

A further $11.5bn will be spent around the state, including on road safety and maintenance.

“We have $6bn billion in projects right along the Bruce and we are determined to see a return to the 80:20 funding split with the federal government.”

Mr Mellish said he welcomed RACQ’s push to restore 80-20 funding along the Bruce Hwy in particular.

Leader of the Opposition of Queensland, David Crisafulli, shared his thoughts after travelling on the Bruce Hwy on Wednesday, stating, “There’s a lot of bumping around on that Bruce Highway. Nothing motivates me more to fix that go track of the Bruce Highway than to go bouncing around on the bus,” he said.