Travellers asked to tune in at Tolga

A barbecue brekkie with a side of roadside education will be dished up for travellers at Tolga in Far North Queensland tomorrow (Tues 28/08), encouraging long-distance motorists to stop, rest and brush up on their road rules knowledge. 

Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said the Queensland Road Safety Week event provided grey nomads and long-distance travellers heading to or from the Cape York region with important safety information.

“We’re encouraging travellers to stop at the Rocky Creek Memorial Park, north of Tolga on the Kennedy Highway from 8am to 10am tomorrow,” Mr Bailey said.

“This is an opportunity for motorists to pick up important road safety information on their way to or from the wilds of Cape York.”

Mr Bailey said transport inspectors, road safety teams and Queensland Police would greet tourists with a breakfast barbecue and provide road rules information, including fatigue management and driving to the conditions.

“Travellers can also take advantage of free demonstrations on how to check the gross vehicle mass of caravans and campers and safe towing,” he said.

“Far North Queensland is one of the most beautiful parts of the world with breathtaking scenery and unique wildlife, so it’s not surprising that we are seeing an influx of long-distance tourists on the roads.

“We want to make sure travellers take care on the roads and are well prepared so they can enjoy their holiday and take home happy memories.”

Queensland Road Safety Week is a Queensland Government initiative, delivered in partnership with the Department of Transport and Main Roads and the Queensland Police Service.

“Each day of Queensland Road Safety Week focuses on road users and tomorrow (Tues) we’re highlighting road safety issues faced by motorists,” Mr Bailey said.

“Queensland Road Safety Week is Australia’s only state-wide initiative that encourages the community to get directly involved in making our roads safer.”

Last year, 43 people died on Northern Queensland roads and 874 were hurt or seriously injured. 

“A simple way to improve road safety and to reduce deaths and injury on our roads starts with following the road rules,” Mr Bailey said.

“We can all make a difference by refreshing our road rules knowledge and making a pledge to improve just one driving or riding behaviour.”

To find out more or to find a local community event, visit https://jointhedrive.qld.gov.au/road-safety-week. To make a pledge download a Speak Up for Road Safety Facebook filter and make your pledge using the #SpeakUpSelfie hashtag.

You can also share your stories or life-saving tips on social media by using #SpeakUpForRoadSafety or #QRSW2018 hashtags.  For more information on road safety, visit https://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/Safety/Road-safety.

ENDS

Media contact: Dominic Geiger, 0447355565