How Bundaberg Police are working to improve road death stats
Police are intensifying their efforts to improve road safety after a horrific November that saw five people die on our roads.
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Police are intensifying their efforts to improve safety and save lives on our roads after a horror road toll in 2024.
27 of Queensland’s 285 road deaths this year were in local crashes, including five fatalities in Bundaberg during November, making the Wide Bay-Burnett district one of the most dangerous in the state.
In response, Bundaberg police have launched Operation Corridor, focused on reducing fatalities on the roads in the area.
The road safety operation has commenced in the Bundaberg area and will continue until the end of January 2025.
The operation will focus on high visibility traffic enforcement across the Bundaberg region targeting the education and enforcement of the Fatal Five.
Data shows serious crashes can be significantly reduced when drivers recognise and avoid the ‘Fatal Five’ behaviours: speeding, drink and drug driving, not wearing seatbelts, fatigue and distraction.
Local business woman Sonja Pressler-McHugh was killed and four others seriously hurt in a horror crash in Kalkie on November 1.
Days before that, Bundaberg Brewed Drinks worker Ryan Hickling, 20, was tragically killed in a crash between a Toyota HiLux and two motorcycles at the intersection of Cedars and Childers Roads at Elliott on October 30.
Malcolm Anderson Langtree, affectionately known as ‘Andy’, 68, died of critical injuries following a crash at Booyal on November 17.
Vanuatuan Augustin Kalkandi, 25, known to his workmates as August, was killed in a two-car collision at Windermere on November 23.
A fruit picker also died last month after trying to overtake a wide load transport carrying a house, south of Gin Gin on November 29.
Bundaberg Patrol Group Chief Inspector Grant Marcus said each life lost was a tragedy.
“Enough is enough – we cannot see any more people being injured or killed on our roads,” he said.
Chief inspector Marcus said local crews were going to be on the ground to keep up visibility.
“With both education and enforcement aspects, police will be focusing on the proven causes of traffic crashes including speed, impaired driving, fatigue, seat belt use, driver distraction and vehicle safety standards,” he said.
“We don’t want anyone to be missing a loved one this Christmas season.”
With increased traffic conditions expected to arise with the holiday season, Chief Inspector Marcus is urging people to be aware of causes of crashes and how to avoid them.
“Let’s work together to make our roads a safer place for all,” he said.
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Originally published as How Bundaberg Police are working to improve road death stats
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