Aggressive, impatient drivers spell trouble at roadworks
Published Monday, 12 May, 2008 at 08:30 AM
Minister for Main Roads and Local Government
The Honourable Warren Pitt
Motorists can do their bit to reduce Queensland's road toll by sticking to speed limits and exercising more care around roadworks, Main Roads Minister Warren Pitt said today.
Mr Pitt said the state's record road construction program highlighted the need for motorists to slow down and keep their wits about them in and around roadwork sites.
"Continued strong population growth in Queensland has resulted in an increased need to build new roads and upgrade our existing ones," Mr Pitt said.
"While I appreciate the frustration motorists sometimes feel as a result of roadworks, it is just plain foolish when they endanger themselves, their passengers and roadworkers by speeding and driving dangerously through worksites.
"Statistics show that from 2000 to 2005, there were 2,609 recorded incidents where roadworks were one contributing factor, with 31 fatalities and 909 hospitalisations.
"These figures are unacceptably high, and really do need to be reduced through improved driver behaviour."
Mr Pitt said motorists driving without due care around roadworks risked serious and possibly fatal injuries to themselves, other road users and roadworkers. They also faced fines and demerit points, and the cost of damage to their vehicles.
Main Roads will soon launch the next phase of its roadworker safety campaign, aimed at increasing awareness of the dangers of poor driving around roadworks.
"The majority of drivers drive sensibly around roadworks, but a minority show either disregard or ignorance of the potential risks," Mr Pitt said.
"Some of the stories the department's roadworkers can tell beggar belief – as evidenced by the reports to our roadworker safety hotline.
"In March alone there were 10 reported incidents of aggressive driver behaviour.
"Seven involved drivers speeding, five involved overtaking in signed 'no overtaking' zones, three involved motorists failing to stop at either traffic lights or hand-held signage and, in one case, workers reported a field barrier was rammed by a vehicle.
"There were also two near-misses – one where a car narrowly avoided hitting a pedestrian and another in which an out-of-control vehicle slid to within a few metres of roadworkers.
"There is a very simple question that motorists should put to themselves as they approach roadworks," Mr Pitt said.
"They need to ask whether they'd be comfortable in their own workplaces, with only plastic barriers or safety cones separating them from traffic passing just metres away.
"It's a sobering thought and surely enough to persuade anyone to slow down, drive to changed conditions and obey signage and road traffic controllers’ directions."
Media contact: Minister Pitt’s Office 3227 8819
Mr Pitt said the state's record road construction program highlighted the need for motorists to slow down and keep their wits about them in and around roadwork sites.
"Continued strong population growth in Queensland has resulted in an increased need to build new roads and upgrade our existing ones," Mr Pitt said.
"While I appreciate the frustration motorists sometimes feel as a result of roadworks, it is just plain foolish when they endanger themselves, their passengers and roadworkers by speeding and driving dangerously through worksites.
"Statistics show that from 2000 to 2005, there were 2,609 recorded incidents where roadworks were one contributing factor, with 31 fatalities and 909 hospitalisations.
"These figures are unacceptably high, and really do need to be reduced through improved driver behaviour."
Mr Pitt said motorists driving without due care around roadworks risked serious and possibly fatal injuries to themselves, other road users and roadworkers. They also faced fines and demerit points, and the cost of damage to their vehicles.
Main Roads will soon launch the next phase of its roadworker safety campaign, aimed at increasing awareness of the dangers of poor driving around roadworks.
"The majority of drivers drive sensibly around roadworks, but a minority show either disregard or ignorance of the potential risks," Mr Pitt said.
"Some of the stories the department's roadworkers can tell beggar belief – as evidenced by the reports to our roadworker safety hotline.
"In March alone there were 10 reported incidents of aggressive driver behaviour.
"Seven involved drivers speeding, five involved overtaking in signed 'no overtaking' zones, three involved motorists failing to stop at either traffic lights or hand-held signage and, in one case, workers reported a field barrier was rammed by a vehicle.
"There were also two near-misses – one where a car narrowly avoided hitting a pedestrian and another in which an out-of-control vehicle slid to within a few metres of roadworkers.
"There is a very simple question that motorists should put to themselves as they approach roadworks," Mr Pitt said.
"They need to ask whether they'd be comfortable in their own workplaces, with only plastic barriers or safety cones separating them from traffic passing just metres away.
"It's a sobering thought and surely enough to persuade anyone to slow down, drive to changed conditions and obey signage and road traffic controllers’ directions."
Media contact: Minister Pitt’s Office 3227 8819