Items found on the road by RACQ Traffic Response Unit

The RACQ attends an average of seven crashes a day, as well as incidents where weird items have been found on the road. SEE THE LIST

RACQ’s Traffic Response Unit

RACQ has attended seven crashes a day as well as incidents where mattresses, step ladders and garden tools have been found on the road, renewing calls for motorists to secure their load.

In the 2023-24 financial year RACQ’s Traffic Response Unit attended a range of congestion-related incidents, including 2718 crashes.

The TRU attended more than 20,500 jobs in the financial year, including breakdowns, quick clearance-solution jobs and traffic control.

A wide range of household items were found, including 15 step ladders, 30 mattresses and bedding, 10 pieces of outdoor furniture, 10 airconditioning ducts and 12 garden tools and 14 tarps.

RACQ principal technical researcher and former patrol officer Andrew Kirk said no matter how far you are travelling it doesn’t take long to secure a load correctly.

“Our TRU officers travel throughout South East Queensland helping motorists and making sure our roads are safe,” Mr Kirk said.

RACQ principal technical researcher and former patrol officer Andrew Kirk

“Whether you’re doing a spring-clean trip to the dump, moving house or completing a DIY project, we want to issue a timely reminder for motorists to safely load their vehicle or trailer,” Mr Kirk said.

“Taking an extra 10 or 15 minutes to ensure your load is correctly secured could save you or another motorist from a potentially deadly incident.

“Not only is it a legal requirement but it guarantees the safety of everyone using our roads and also ensures you don’t damage the road infrastructure.”

Mr Kirk said the usual suspects were also found on the roads including 50 tie down straps, 32 pieces of plastic, 38 pieces of timber debris timber and 56 pieces of metal debris.

Mr Kirk said any number of crashes is too many.

“While the work our TRUs do in patrolling Queensland roads is important, we’d rather see them attending zero crashes,” he said.

“We urge Queenslanders to consider the safety of themselves and others every time they get behind the wheel and always drive to the conditions.”

Originally published as Items found on the road by RACQ Traffic Response Unit