Brendan Moreland’s death sparks driver attitude change on Bruce Highway

Roadworker Brendan Moreland’s tragic death on the Ron Camm Bridge has triggered a change I hope will last until well after the last petal on his roadside tribute has fallen, writes Rae Wilson.

Driving into town towards the Ron Camm Bridge on Wednesday and Thursday morning told me Brendan Moreland’s tragic death will not be in vain.

Where cars usually fly past me when I drive into town, everyone was abiding the speed limit and seemed more courteous to fellow commuters.

I hope it’s not a passing phase after this week’s tragedy.

The 35-year-old traffic controller was fatally struck as he was moving traffic cones during his shift just after 4am on Tuesday working on the Ron Camm Bridge.

Workmates of Brendan Moreland pay tribute to the popular traffic controller at the site where he died. Back: Mirikia Ahmat and Matthew Wellington. Front: Sharon Ahmat, Deliah Serruerier, Nezzy Falzon and Robyn 'Robbi' Mapley.

Mackay Inspector Ian Haughton said bystanders performed first aid to the man, but he died at the scene.

Police took a man, 28, into custody and expect to lay charges.

Road workers and traffic controllers put their lives at risk every day because too many of us are impatient.

Roadworker Brendan Moreland was killed in a suspected hit and run on Ron Camm bridge in North Mackay on October 26, 2021. Picture: Facebook

Some might think this incident is an outlier because a stolen car was allegedly involved. But the outpouring of grief on our social media channels tells me there are near misses way too often.

I’m guilty of being in a rush often myself and encounter roadworks pretty much every night on the way home. But I’ve never had a speeding fine and I would like to keep it that way.

Roadworks can be frustrating, but what’s worse is people tailgating me when I do the 40km/h speed limit or overtaking me in a 40km/h road work zone.

We all need to plan for roadworks in our commute; leave earlier to get to our destinations.

Brendan Moreland was taken far too soon, but I hope his death will serve as a stark reminder of how careful we need to be on our roads. For ourselves, our loved ones and those working to make our roads safer.

Rae Wilson,

Daily Mercury editor

Originally published as Brendan Moreland’s death sparks driver attitude change on Bruce Highway