A horror crash on Queensland’s Bruce Highway in which five people died may have been caused by a driver taking a microsleep. Witnesses say a Toyota Prado slowly drifted across the highway before it crashed head-on into a B-double truck just north of Howard at Nulla Flat Creek, between Maryborough and Childers. That slow drift, experts say, is a strong sign that the driver had nodded off.
Five members of one family travelling in the 4WD were killed in Sunday’s crash. They were on their way back to their Hervey Bay home after a day trip out. It is the worst crash on Queensland roads in more than decade … and it has left the state in shock.
As of last week, 200 people had died on Queensland roads in 2012. At the same time last year, the figure was 188, and the year before 178. While this latest tragedy on the Bruce was almost certainly not the result of poor road conditions, it will no doubt still heighten calls for improvements to be made to a highway which has an appalling safety record.
It should also serve as a reminder to grey nomads and to others who spend many hours behind the wheel to ensure they stop regularly, and are adequately rested when they do take to our roads. Email us here with your views on this story.
