Visibility an issue at intersection where dad died

Excessive speed has been determined as a factor in a crash which killed a Mapleton dad as police investigate issues at the busy Coast junction where he died.

Nambour Forensic Crash Unit officers say visibility is an issue for motorists using the junction of Blaxland and Carter roads in Nambour. Photo: Patrick Woods

Excessive speed has been determined as a major factor in a crash which killed a Mapleton dad as police investigate safety issues at the busy Coast junction where he died.

They have this week returned to the Nambour scene where 38-year-old Ben Eddey died on October 10 to determine what part visibility issues also played in the crash.

Police said Mr Eddey died from injuries sustained when he crashed his motorbike about 6.15pm while on his way home after picking up some fast food.

Nambour Forensic Crash Unit officer Paul Benton said Mr Eddey had overtaken "a couple of vehicles" heading west, or uphill, on Carter Rd and was travelling at excessive speed as he approached the intersection with Blaxland Rd.

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Senior Constable Benton said a vehicle had stopped at the stop sign on Blaxland Rd before moving partially into the intersection and then stopping again after seeing the approaching motorcycle.

"The rider has dropped the bike and hit the front of the car waiting to turn right," Sen-Const Benton said.

Police investigate a fatal crash on Carter Rd in Nambour on the night of the incident.

Passers-by and nearby residents did their best but Mr Eddey could not be saved.

Sen-Const Benton said the bike continued to slide up the hill past the intersection.

He said investigations were continuing to determine whether or not the driver of the car would be charged.

Police on Monday returned to the intersection to do tests on visibility for drivers turning from Blaxland Rd.

Tests involved having a police motorcycle follow the same Carter Rd route as Mr Eddey while an another officer waited to turn from the Blaxland Rd intersection.

"Obstruction of view is something we are looking into," Sen-Const Benton said.

An aerial view of the intersection of Carter Rd and Blaxland Rd. Picture: Patrick Woods

Blaxland Rd resident Coral Cross said there had been quite a lot of crashes at the junction during the 25 years she had lived in the street, including a ute that overturned and ended up in her front garden.

Mrs Cross said she had successfully lobbied a previous council to install a traffic island more than 15 years ago but had been told traffic lights were not a cost effective option.

She said visibility along Carter Rd when turning out of Blaxland Rd was an issue.

Last month's tragic crash was the first fatal she knew of in her time in the area.

"I've frightened a couple of them (motorbike riders) myself," Mrs Cross said.

"Quite a few have been hit but not hurt."

Blaxland Rd resident Coral Cross says a concave mirror at the intersection of her street and Carter Rd is a lifeline when pulling out but glare from the sun and fog sometimes make it hard to use. Picture: Patrick Woods

She said a concave mirror was a "lifeline" for negotiating the intersection but it was hard to use when the afternoon sun hit it or on frosty mornings.

She was frustrated that new traffic lights were going into Nambour's CBD to accommodate a tram project before at her intersection.

"They can have lights put in down there but where we need them here for a busy school road, we can't get them."

A Sunshine Coast Council spokeswoman said a pedestrian refuge island was installed on Carter Rd about seven years ago.

Sections of painted Chevron Island were also included to improve safety for vehicles turning right into Blaxland Rd and the give way line was replaced with a stop sign.

"More recently, some minor signage improvements along the eastern section of Carter Rd were completed and we continue to ensure vegetation maintenance is undertaken to help sight lines at the intersection remain as clear as possible," she said.