Fines boost Border region truck rest areas.

Red light and speed camera fines are being invested in the Border region to improve truck safety on important freight routes, Minister for Transport and Main Roads, Paul Lucas, announced today.

“This is part of a $46 million road safety initiative funded largely by traffic camera fines.

“Four new heavy vehicle rest stops will be built in the region at a cost of $2 million dollars to ensure truck drivers aren’t ticking time bombs on our highways,” he said

Two heavy vehicle rest areas will be added to the Cunningham Highway between Yelarbon and Goondiwindi, one between Murri Murri and the Gums area on the Leichhardt Highway and another on the Moonie Highway between Moonie and St George.

The rest areas are among 77 high priority projects worth more than $46 million approved by the Safer Roads Sooner Ministerial Advisory Committee chaired by Parliamentary Secretary for Main Roads, Andrew McNamara.

“Our primary focus has been projects with potential to reduce the state’s road toll.

“The four new rest stops will help truck drivers meet their obligations under the Queensland’s landmark Heavy Vehicle Fatigue laws and improve safety for all road users,” Mr McNamara said.

In all, a total of 261 projects have been made possible by the Beattie Government’s Safer Road Sooner program since beginning in 2005.

Professor Mary Sheehan from Queensland University of Technology's accident research group, CARRS-Q and the RACQ are among the committee’s panel of road safety experts and key project decision makers.

Mr Lucas said the Safer Roads Sooner program aims to reduce Queensland's road toll through smart targeted investment in better road infrastructure.

“This program clearly demonstrates the money we take in fines from motorists who’ve been snapped by red light and speed cameras is being channelled into Queensland to save lives and reduce serious injuries.

“More than half of the third round of Safer Roads Sooner is being spent outside of south-east Queensland.

“Through Safer Roads Sooner we’re striving to reduce the road toll on the state’s freight highways,” Mr Lucas said.

Media Contact:     Darren Roberts 0448 184566