Published Thursday, 11 December, 2008 at 09:30 AM
Minister for Main Roads and Local Government
The Honourable Warren Pitt
Minister urges motorists to slow down around roadworks
Queensland motorists are being urged to slow down and consider roadworkers’ safety in the latest phase of Main Roads’ Roadworker Safety Campaign.
Launched today by Main Roads Minister Warren Pitt and Member for Redlands John English, the campaign is aimed at increasing awareness of the dangers of poor driving around roadworks, particularly speeding.
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.
“Every day there are hundreds of roadworkers doing their job on Queensland roads for the benefit of all road users,” Mr Pitt said.
“Motorists driving without due care around roadworks risk more than damage to their vehicles or fines and demerit points.
“They risk causing tragic consequences for themselves, other road users and roadworkers,” he said.
Mr Pitt said he hoped the Roadworker Safety Campaign would illustrate to drivers the real dangers of poor driving around roadworks.
“From 2000 to 2005, there were 2609 recorded incidents where roadworks were one contributing factor, with 31 fatalities and 909 hospitalisations,” he said.
"As is the case with all aspects of the road toll, these figures are simply too high and I'm confident they can be reduced with improved driver behaviour.”
Mr English said the Bligh Government and Main Roads urged motorists to remember to ‘Look out, watch out and be aware’.
“With more traffic on the roads during the holiday season, it is even more crucial for drivers to slow down and realise roadwork safety is everyone’s responsibility,” Mr English said.
“Motorists need to ask themselves whether they'd be comfortable in their own workplaces, with only plastic barriers or safety cones separating them from speeding traffic metres away.
"It's a sobering thought and surely enough to persuade anyone to slow down, drive to changed conditions and obey signage and roadworkers' directions."
Media contact: Minister Pitt’s Office 3227 8819
Launched today by Main Roads Minister Warren Pitt and Member for Redlands John English, the campaign is aimed at increasing awareness of the dangers of poor driving around roadworks, particularly speeding.
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.
“Every day there are hundreds of roadworkers doing their job on Queensland roads for the benefit of all road users,” Mr Pitt said.
“Motorists driving without due care around roadworks risk more than damage to their vehicles or fines and demerit points.
“They risk causing tragic consequences for themselves, other road users and roadworkers,” he said.
Mr Pitt said he hoped the Roadworker Safety Campaign would illustrate to drivers the real dangers of poor driving around roadworks.
“From 2000 to 2005, there were 2609 recorded incidents where roadworks were one contributing factor, with 31 fatalities and 909 hospitalisations,” he said.
"As is the case with all aspects of the road toll, these figures are simply too high and I'm confident they can be reduced with improved driver behaviour.”
Mr English said the Bligh Government and Main Roads urged motorists to remember to ‘Look out, watch out and be aware’.
“With more traffic on the roads during the holiday season, it is even more crucial for drivers to slow down and realise roadwork safety is everyone’s responsibility,” Mr English said.
“Motorists need to ask themselves whether they'd be comfortable in their own workplaces, with only plastic barriers or safety cones separating them from speeding traffic metres away.
"It's a sobering thought and surely enough to persuade anyone to slow down, drive to changed conditions and obey signage and roadworkers' directions."
Media contact: Minister Pitt’s Office 3227 8819