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Work is underway on $11.5 million worth of safety upgrades to the Peak Downs Highway, north of Clermont.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said the Wolfang Road intersection would be upgraded, along with three sections of the highway, between Tea Tree Creek bridge and Myall Creek crossing.
“The highway is being strengthened and widened, making it safer for oversized and over-mass vehicles, as well as regular road users,” Mr McCormack said.
“Two heavy vehicle stopping bays will be upgraded, and a new, protected right turn at the Wolfang Road intersection will improve safety for road train drivers.
Queensland Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said traffic volumes were expected to increase on the Peak Downs Highway.
“Just over 3km of road will be widened to 9m, with one-metre shoulders, to increase separation between heavy vehicles, caravans and light vehicles,” Mr Bailey said.
“Widening three sections will enable safer overtaking opportunities, so drivers don’t take unnecessary risks.
“We’re also tackling fatigue for heavy vehicle drivers by upgrading two informal stopping bays.” The Peak Downs Highway upgrades north of Clermont will improve safety for all motorists. Picture: Tara Miko
Assistant Minister for Northern Australia and Capricornia MP Michelle Landry said the wider road would also enable safer overtaking opportunities.
Australian governments fail to reach 30 per cent reduction targets for deaths and serious injuries.
522 more lives lost on our roads than federal and states governments had expected.
No new National Road Safety Strategy in place as road toll spikes in the new year.
The Australian Automobile Association’s (AAA) final quarterly report benchmarking the performance of the National Road Safety Strategy 2011-2020 (NRSS) shows the Strategy’s key targets, to reduce road deaths and serious injuries by at least 30 per cent, have not been met.
In 2020, the national road toll was down by 6.7 per cent compared to the previous year, with most attributing the recent decline to greatly reduced traffic volumes due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
A number of roads across Hinkler will soon be safer with more than $3m committed to road safety upgrades throughout the electorate under the Road Safety Program. The Australian Government has approved $225m for Queensland under tranche one of the $2b Road Safety Program, joining a further $64.6m to be provided by the Queensland Government. Federal Member for Hinkler Keith Pitt said the $3.18 million investment would make road conditions safer for motorists and provide more local jobs. Road accidents place a major burden on our region. It impacts on our emergency services, it impacts our daily travel, and most importantly, it has an incredible impact on friends and families, Mr Pitt said.
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We all play a part in road safety
About 1,200 Australians die on our roads every year and 44,000 are seriously injured, costing the economy an estimated $30 billion.
The human cost – in deaths, serious injuries and lasting disabilities – is immeasurable.
You may have thought that if we all just avoided the ‘fatal five’ top risks when getting behind the wheel, a safe drive for all could be guaranteed. If we all just avoided speeding, not wearing seat belts, alcohol and drugs, distraction and fatigue then we could solve the problem of road trauma.
But humans are not perfect, and we will continue to make mistakes. That’s why it’s important to think about the big picture when it comes road safety, taking into account not just individual decisions, but the system as a whole.