April 30, 2020
Authorities are pleading with Queenslanders to drive safely this long weekend as COVID-19 travel restrictions ease.
More lives have been lost on the State’s roads so far this year compared with 2019, despite traffic on major highways being down more than 30 per cent.
The current road toll stands at 68, eight more than for the same period last year.
Transport Minister Mark Bailey said Queenslanders had made huge progress in flattening the COVID-19 curve “but we can’t afford to see that translate into deaths on our roads”.
“From Saturday, Queenslanders will be able travel up to 50km from home for recreational purposes – let’s make every kilometre on that trip and every other trip into the future a safe one,” he said.
Police Minister Mark Ryan said police emphasis would be on the fatal five: speed, fatigue, seat belt use, driver distraction, and drink/drug driving.
“Eighty per cent of fatalities on our roads are because of these risky choices, and all are preventable,” Mr Ryan said.
Road Policing Command Assistant Commissioner Mike Keating said there had been a sharp rise in the rate of speeding on Queensland roads.
“It is very concerning how often our officers and speed camera systems are detecting exceptionally high speeds,” Assistant Commissioner Keating said.
“The risks of speeding have not changed and the faster you go, the more consequence there is if you hit something or someone else.”
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Bodycam video released by Queensland Police of recent traffic stops:
- 173km/h and 152km/h in 100km/h zone on Old Goombungee Road, Birnam (April 26)
- 168km/h in 100km/h zone on the Bruce Highway between Barretts Road and Howard Heights Road, Cherwell (April 27)
- 161km/h 100km/h zone on the Pacific Highway, Pimpama (April 27)
- 153km/h in 70km/h zone Albert Street and Logan River Road, Bethania (April 27)
