Road safety warning in wake of fatal crash
Driving on regional and remote roads requires extra attention.
Motorists have been warned to take extra care while driving on regional roads following a fatal crash between a long-distance bus and a four-wheel drive towing a caravan in North Queensland.
The accident happened on Sunday 30 June near Gumlu, about 135 kilometres south of Townsville, on a stretch of the Bruce Highway often travelled by tourists and Grey Nomads.
Three women died in the crash, and two people were critically injured. All were passengers in the Greyhound coach, which was travelling from Brisbane to Townsville.
Local politicians expressed concern about the state of the highway and warned motorists to take extra care on regional and remote roads.
Whitsunday Mayor Ry Collins said that, despite being part of the national highway, it “doesn’t feel like a highway, it feels like a country road”.
“It’s got fairly narrow shoulders on the road and there are some sections there that if you don’t have your wits about you, it is easy to veer off or veer into the other lane if you're not fully focused on what you’re doing.”
Member for Burdekin Dale Last added that the section of highway where the crash occurred, about eight kilometres north of Bowen, “is breaking up”.
“It’s full of potholes. It's not a very safe section of highway at all,” he told the ABC. “It is nothing more than a goat track. That’s what the locals call it.”
The accident happened at the start of Queensland state school holidays, which are traditionally busy.
Government advice for driving long distances incudes:
Plan your trip
Include rest stops on long trips so you don’t drive tired
Check for traffic updates and changes to road conditions
Buckle up your seat belt
Drive within the speed limit and follow road rules
Don’t drink and drive
Don’t talk or text on your phone while driving.
On remote and regional roads:
Reduce your speed before nearing the edge of the road, as the edge may drop off or have loose stones
Keep one wheel on the bitumen due to the unstable nature of road edges
If you’re driving towards the west, the afternoon sun can affect your vision from 4pm
Keep an eye out for livestock and wildlife on or at the side of the road, especially at night. Slow down and beep your horn if you see animals at the edge of the road about to cross.
In the wake of the Gumlu crash, the Queensland Police Service (QPS) has reminded drivers of its commitment to reduce the number of lives lost on the road.
In a statement, the QPS said, “Data shows that 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.”
Related reading: Brisbane Times, ABC, Queensland Government, Queensland Police
