It probably won’t come as a surprise to a lot of grey nomads who have driven it, but a new report has revealed that on average more than 100 people are injured in crashes on a dangerous stretch of the Bruce Highway every year.
The Brisbane Courier-Mail reports the shocking figures show 422 people were injured in crashes on the Bruce Highway, 100 kilometres north and south of Townsville, in the past four years.
Queensland motoring organisation, the RACQ, has called for an acceleration of cheap but effective safety upgrades on the notorious highway.
“There’s still more to do over the entire Bruce Highway to reduce intersection, head-on and run off road crashes,” said RACQ spokesperson, Paul Turner. “While we support the Bruce Highway Upgrade Program, , we want to see those much needed safety works programs delivered sooner – because the longer we delay the more Queensland lives we put at risk.”
He said, that in addition to Stage Five of the Townsville Ring Road project, the stretch could benefit from the faster delivery of low-cost high benefit safety treatments.
“Widening roads with wide centre-line as well as increasing overtaking lanes, turning lanes and clearing roadsides will make the highway more forgiving of driver error and reduce road trauma,” he said.
Mr Turner said the high volumes of traffic operating on the Bruce Highway around Townsville, would continue to contribute to crashes.
“This is one of the longest highways in the country and has thousands of cars, trucks and motorbikes travel it every day, especially around those major regional centres like Townsville,” he said. “Whether travelling the Bruce Highway or our suburban streets, it’s important every driver considers the Fatal Five, and never gets behind the wheel when tired, distracted, drunk or drug affected.”
He said all drivers needed to all make the commitment to stick to the speed limit, drive to conditions and make sure everyone is buckled up.
As usual all the cash is spent around the cushy government suburbs around Brisbane.
As shown in last fed election regional qld has had enough of city focused labour government.
Yes just come back from Kurumba and the worst part of the trip was coming back down coast from Innisfail.It is an absolute disgrace and no wonder it is driving tourists away.This road is full of potholes bad edges and a danger to anyone using it. How many times have this government promised to fix it,and look at it.In our two months away,spoke to many from the south and all said they avoided it like the plague. So want does that mean it means that every business along that route misses out.No if ever we travel north I will take a inland route and spend my money in the businesses along that road. Stevo.
The Bruce highway condition is atrocious. Add people travelling long distances, and overseas tourists and it’s a recipe for disaster.
The majority of the people I speak with basically state the Queensland government hasn’t got a clue. This was demonstrated by the results of the recent federal election.
So Paul Turner from. the RACQ wants caravanners to stick to the speed limit eh! I won’t exceed my limit with my caravan on tow for anyone. If I feel the conditions aren’t right then others will just have to be patient and wait.
Our limit for anything being towed in Western Australia is 100km/h and sometimes that is too fast. I wonder if the RACWA agrees with him.
Hwy 1 which includes the Bruce Highway is the Federal govements responsibility and if you notice it spends its money in the southern states, ie, more $ per klm in NSW and VIC, than QLD, just saying.
When I first got my licence at 17 I heard that the Bruce Highway would be a dual carriageway. It was built as far at Nambour in the 70s and now as far as Gympie. I am now in my mid 70s and was wondering if I will ever see it finished in my lifetime.
A disgusting unsafe road. Shame on every Government State and Federal for the ignorance displayed by all of them. They haven’t even upgraded between Beerburrum and Sunshine Coast yet with the population exploding there. Drive those roads at your own risk.