TMR makes black spot upgrades after decades of roundabout crashes
A campaign calling for a fix to treacherous road surfaces after a horrific highway crash has generated a huge response, but TMR has refused to confirm safety advocacy was the reason behind recent upgrades of the Machans Beach roundabout.
Cairns
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A campaign calling for a fix to treacherous road surfaces after a horrific highway crash has generated a huge response, but TMR has refused to confirm safety advocacy was the reason behind recent upgrades of the Machans Beach roundabout.
On the night of Saturday, May 10, Cairns Hospital nurse Laura Raistrick was a passenger in a late model coupe when the vehicle spun out and lost control.
The car slid into a concrete kerb, which flipped the vehicle through a flimsy metal fence and into a ditch where it came to rest 3m below the surface of the roadway.
“We were only driving 40km/h,” Ms Raistrick said.
“We had a meticulously well-maintained car, good tires, dashcam evidence, driving slow, the driver was not intoxicated at all and it still resulted in a serious accident.
“Locals know just how dangerous and slippery this section of the road is. It claims multiple vehicles regularly.”
Ms Raistrick put out a call on social media asking for other drivers to share their accident stories at notorious roundabouts on the Captain Cook Highway, including the Machans, Holloways and Yorkeys Knob turn-offs.
She was overwhelmed by the response as “dozens” of drivers came forward to provide statements, some dating back 30 years.
This body of information was forwarded to the Department of Transport and Main Roads.
An investigation by the relevant insurance company cleared the driver of any fault and last week Ms Raistrick was contacted by TMR staff, who shared a plan to address the roundabout crashes.
A look back through Cairns Post archives reveals dozens of crashes on the Machans and Holloways roundabouts, including two fatal motorcycle crashes in 2007 and 2018.
TMR recently installed rumble strips on the approaches to the Machans Beach roundabout and peripheral line marking was added to improve lane visibility and delineation.
Ms Raistrick was told TMR cameras would also be installed to monitor and gather better insight into accidents, however, it’s understood this has not happened yet.
“I honestly don’t believe this is the true solution since the integrity of the road remains very poor and there is no barricade on the edge,” she said.
“But we need to allow TMR the opportunity to respond and trial these new safety measures. “This is the first time they’ve implemented anything so it’s a step forward in the right direction.”
In response to questions from the Cairns Post, TMR refused to state if recent safety improvements were in direct response to Ms Raistrick’s concerns.
TMR also declined to acknowledge the road surface was a contributing factor to regular car crashes at the Captain Cook Highway intersections.
A spokesman said road safety was the state road authority’s “number one priority”.
“Over the years, TMR has completed upgrades to various Captain Cook Highway roundabouts to improve safety for road users,” he said.
“Most recently, rumble strips were installed … these tactile features provide a physical cue to drivers, prompting greater attention and encouraging speed reduction.
“To further support safe navigation, peripheral line marking has been added to improve lane visibility and delineation.
“As part of this package of safety improvements, CCTV cameras will be installed at the roundabout to provide insights into motorists’ driving habits as they approach and navigate the roundabout.”
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Originally published as TMR makes black spot upgrades after decades of roundabout crashes
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