More rest stops to help tackle driver fatigue and improve road safety
Heavy vehicle drivers and motorists will soon benefit from more rest areas which will be funded as part of a $54 million injection for the Safer Roads Sooner program. Main Roads Minister Warren Pitt said the funding program, which aims to help reduce Queensland's road toll, would provide new rest areas on some of the state's major links in an effort to reduce fatigue-related crashes.
(Media-Newswire.com) - Heavy vehicle drivers and motorists will soon benefit from more rest areas which will be funded as part of a $54 million injection for the Safer Roads Sooner program.
Main Roads Minister Warren Pitt said the funding program, which aims to help reduce Queensland’s road toll, would provide new rest areas on some of the state’s major links in an effort to reduce fatigue-related crashes.
“Main Roads is committed to tackling driver-fatigue issues and new rest areas will help prevent crashes,” Mr Pitt said.
“The increase in fatigue-related crashes, particularly on key tourism and freight routes, has been alarming.”
Mr Pitt said there were 41 fatalities from fatigue-related crashes in Queensland in 2006, which represented 12.2 per cent of the Queensland road toll.
He said that figure had increased in 2007 to 65 fatalities, representing 18.1 per cent of the state’s road toll.
"These fatigue statistics are a tragedy that could be avoided,” Mr Pitt said.
“While driver behaviour is an overwhelming factor in fatigue-related crashes, Main Roads' improvements to the road environment will help make a difference."
Along with building rest areas, Main Roads will also install signs and audible linemarking, and remove roadside hazards as part of the works.
The roads to have new rest areas will include: • Cunningham Highway – several sections in the Warwick, Inglewood and Goondiwindi areas ( $50,000 in 2009–10 to start a $500,000 project ) • Bunya Highway – several sections in the Dalby Regional Council area ( $300,000 in 2009-10 ) • Warrego Highway in Murweh Shire ( $100,000 in 2009–10 ) • Mitchell Highway ( Barringun–Cunnamulla and Cunnamulla–Charleville sections ) in Paroo and Murweh Shires ( $700,000 in 2009–10 ) • Peak Downs Highway, 30km west of the Fitzroy Developmental Road intersection, in Isaac Regional Council area ( $250,000 in 2009–10 ) • Diamantina Developmental Road in Diamantina Shire ( $150,000 in 2009–10 ) • Kennedy Developmental Road ( Poddy Creek area ) in Winton Shire ( $150,000 in 2009–10 ).
The fatigue management initiative is one of the 90 new high-priority projects announced in the latest round of Safer Roads Sooner funding, which aims to reduce the road toll and the associated huge social and financial impact of road trauma.
“Queensland’s road toll is a serious concern and the State Government is committed to addressing it through works such as these,” Mr Pitt said.
“Importantly, half the Safer Roads Sooner funding is spent in rural and regional Queensland.”
Media contact: Minister Pitt’s Office 3227 8819
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