Gold Coast’s deadliest roads revealed as M1 and Gold Coast Highway

The Gold Coast’s deadliest roads can be revealed, with new data detailing the stretches of road with the most fatalities and where drivers are most likely to crash.

THE state’s peak motoring body has called on both sides of federal politics to pledge funding for the next stage of the Gold Coast’s light rail amid fears stalling development of the project will spell trouble for road safety.

The RACQ says extending the light rail to Burleigh would reduce growing congestion on the Gold Coast Highway and help fix a “concerning” number of accidents along the iconic strip.

WHY M1 IS COAST’S KILLER ROAD

The scene of a fatal car crash at Palm Beach on the Gold Coast. Picture Glenn Hampson

In a data crunch of long-term crash records from the Department of Transport and Main Roads, the Bulletin has found the Pacific Motorway and the Gold Coast Highway are the city’s most lethal roads, with 59 dying on the M1 between Bilinga and Ormeau from 2001-2018 and 43 killed and 4779 injured on the Gold Coast Highway since 2001.

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More than 1000 additional accidents on the Gold Coast Highway caused damage to property in the same period, with the stretch of road through Labrador a particular black spot.

RACQ head of public policy Rebecca Michael said the light rail would move more drivers off the Gold Coast Highway and other roads, making them safer.

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Emergency services at a two-car fatal accident between a taxi and a car on the south bound lanes of he Gold Coast Highway.

“We know this project will play a critical role in managing congestion by reducing the number of cars on the road and providing commuters with another way to get about,” Dr Michael said.

She called on both major political parties to commit the same investment to Stage 3A that was committed to Stage 2, so that regardless of the election outcome, Gold Coast residents could be assured the infrastructure was delivered.

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An officer on scene at a fatal crash along the Gold Coast Highway.

“Federal funding is crucial to getting this project back on track so let’s put politics aside and give Gold Coast residents the public transport they deserve,” she said.

Data since 2001 revealed Gold Coasters were most likely to be in an accident on a Friday (5643 incidents); most accidents on the Coast were at speeds under 60km/h (24,434 accidents); and just 3197 accidents involved speeds between 100-110km/hr.

Suncorp’s Ashleigh Paterson said motorists should use the information to be more vigilant.

“These busy stretches of road carry high volumes of traffic, with many intersections, which create congestion during peak periods, making injury-causing crashes more likely to happen,” she said.

COAST COMMUNITY PLEADS WITH PARENTS TO TEACH ROAD SAFETY FOLLOWING TEEN DEATH

A fatal crash in 2004 at Carrara.

The data showed that of the 59 killed on the Pacific Motorway, nine were pedestrians.

Of the 43 people were died on the Gold Coast Highway, 22 were pedestrians.

Seventeen people lost their lives on the Nerang-Murwillumbah Road.

The Department of Transport and Main Roads is responsible for upkeep on the M1, as well as parts of the Gold Coast Highway excluding Broadbeach, Surfers Paradise and Southport.

A spokeswoman said more than 1000 projects had been undertaken across both roads in recent years to help protect drivers.

“All motorists need to be aware of the fatal five and take them seriously — drink driving and drug driving, fatigue, inattention, not using a seat belt, and speeding,” she said.

“Any lapse in concentration can lead to an accident.”

Police said motorists should drive to conditions.

“The slower the speed, the better the chance a crash may be avoided or lessen the impact,” a spokesman said.