Warrego electorate named in RACQ’s top 10 worst regions for road deaths in 2021 so far

Road conditions and driver fatigue have been labelled as some of the underlying causes for catastrophic crash deaths in the region, with communities left to pick up the pieces of each tragedy.

CLIMBING ROAD TOLL: Several lives have already been lost on Warrego roads already in 2021. Picture: Facebook

The Warrego region has received an undesirable accolade during a horror year for communities, ranking in RACQ’s top 10 dangerous regions for road deaths.

Encompassing local councils such as the Western Downs and Maranoa, the Warrego region was ranked 10th for fatalities in 2021, as Queensland recorded more than 172 deaths so far this year.

Statistics revealed the region had lost five lives from January to July, almost half of Callide’s road death toll.

For Dalby police Sergeant Tony Logue, it’s been a “very frustrating” year for road safety.

Police say the Fatal Five have contributed to several crashes in the region this year. Picture: Lillian Watkins

“I’ve been a cop for 32 years, and it’s the same every year, people need to take ownership of the items they’re driving, because they become lethal weapons,” Sergeant Logue said.

“We’ve had a few recently that have involved fatigue, driver inattention, drugs, and liquor.

“Police just want people to pay attention behind the wheel.”

Western Downs communities are still reeling following the tragic deaths of several people in the region this year.

Mother Monique Hall tragically lost her life in a crash along the Moonie Highway in Moonie after her family’s car rolled on June 9.

Mother of five Brook Holder died in a horrific truck and car collision in Bowenville on June 18, while Tara childcare worker Crystal Coffee died in the same stretch of road on July 9 in a two-vehicle crash.

Western Downs mum Brooke Holder died in a truck and car collision on June 18 in Bowenville. Picture: Facebook

The Dalby community then mourned the loss of Terry John Harper, after he was killed in a motorcycle crash in Kumbarilla on July 14

Member for Warrego Ann Leahy said the region’s roads were “unforgiving” due to their poor conditions.

“Our roads need constant maintenance and safety upgrades, we just have to do more to fix our roads,” Ms Leahy said.

“We can do all the education campaigns we want, but if we don’t fix the roads at the same time, we are going to keep killing people.”

Dalby man Terry John Harper was killed in a motorbike crash at Kumbarilla on July 14. Picture: Facebook

Ms Leahy said more passing lanes and additional funding would be a start, citing the Department of Transport’s multi-billion dollar backlog.

“In southwest Queensland alone, this figure is a staggering $894 million,” she said.

“This maintenance backlog and underspending has serious implications for road safety and productivity.

“To put it in perspective, about 30 per cent of the road length in Queensland receives about seven per cent of the funding.”