Central Queensland fatal crashes increased over 70% in past year as RACQ says regional roads lack safety features

An alarming 80 per cent of the state’s fatalities happen on rural and remote roads as a peak motoring group has called for additional safety features in regional Queensland. Here’s why authorities are urging motorists to take extra care.

Nilsson Jones

@nilssonjones_

2 min read

August 25, 2022 - 2:48PM

Regional News

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Fatalities on Queensland roads overwhelmingly occur in regional and remote parts of the state as the death toll continues its “disturbing” trajectory in the Central region.

Queensland has already recorded 193 road fatalities in 2022, 12 more than the same time last year which was labelled the state’s deadliest since 2009.

In the Central Region alone, which stretches from Winton across to Agnes Water and north to Bowen, 38 people have died in the 12 months to August 21 2022.

The RACQ Capricorn Rescue is often called upon to respond to remote incidents and transport patients to major hospitals. Picture: RACQ LifeFlight

This figures is an increase of 72.7 per cent on the 2021 figure (22), and an 86.3 per cent increase on the previous five year average (20.4).

Queensland Police Chief Superintendent Andrew Pilotto said this year’s figures were disturbing and of the current fatalities, 153 have been on rural and regional roads.

He also said while 60 per cent of crashes were in regional Queensland, they accounted for 80 per cent of the state’s fatalities.

“We’re quite concerned about road fatalities, but of equal concern is the number of road fatalities we’ve had on rural and regional roads outside of South East Queensland,” Superintendent Pilotto said.

Fatalities in Central police region (year-to-date August 21)

2022: 38

2021: 22

2020: 25

2019: 17

2018: 20

2017: 18

The RACQ is now calling for greater investment in safety features on rural and regional roads.

RACQ Traffic and Safety Engineering manager Gregory Miszkowycz said far too many people were losing their lives and it was partly due to remote roads having high speed limits while lacking safe designs features which can prevent a crash or reduce its severity.

“We need roads widened, wider centre-lines with median safety barriers, clear roadsides and safety barriers installed, protected turn lanes at intersections as well as providing additional overtaking lanes and more rest areas,” he said.

“But as drivers we also need to take responsibility every time we get behind the wheel by making sure we’re not driving tired, distracted, under the influence of drugs or alcohol, speeding or without a seatbelt.”

RACQ Traffic and Safety Engineering manager, Gregory Miszkowycz said far too many people were losing their lives on regional roads. Picture: RACQ

Recent RACQ data revealed the number of drivers who admitted to speeding, drink driving and driving while tired increased this year.

Superintendent Pilotto said remote roads presented unique challenges compared to the cities as motorists were more likely to come into contact with wild animals and experienced fatigue driving long distances on underdeveloped roads.

Exceeding speed limits was also singled out as another major cause of regional road fatalities.

“People speed in the country to get there quicker because you’ve got a lot further to go,” he said.

There have been a number of fatal traffic crashes on the Bruce Highway in recent years.

Queensland Government Air rescue chopper pilot, Darren O’Brien, said although crews were well equipped, travelling long distances when minutes matter impacts remote drivers involved in serious crashes.

“If you’re out there (rurally), slow down and take your time … think of the bigger picture and don’t push it, if you’re fatigued take a rest,” Mr O’Brien said.

“The amount of carnage we see on the roads because people have fallen asleep and drifted into the other lane and there’s been a head on, if everyone could see that, people wouldn’t even entertain the idea of driving when they’re tired.”