RAIL - Back On Track Forum

Couriermail --> QWeekend: When will Queensland wake up to obesity epidemic?


A couple of years ago I recall suggesting to Transport bureaucrats on George that more effort be put into health education and the benefits of public and active transport, and using this to help support better outcomes for public and active transport in terms of improved services, frequency, connections and so forth. 

They looked at me with glazed eyes ...

http://statements.qld.gov.au/Statement/2016/8/2/motorists-urged-to-take-extra-care-on-roads-after-horror-crashes

Minister for Main Roads, Road Safety and Ports and Minister for Energy, Biofuels and Water Supply
The Honourable Mark Bailey
Tuesday, August 02, 2016

Motorists urged to take extra care on roads after horror crashes

Motorists are being urged to slow down and take extra care following a horror few days on Queensland roads, with six people killed in crashes and many more injured.

Main Roads and Road Safety Minister Mark Bailey said the road toll for 2016 was currently 145, two more than the same time last year.

"This tally is a sober reminder that we all need to think safety first when we're on the road," Mr Bailey said.

"Losing a family member, friend or colleague as the result of a road accident is traumatic, and I extend my sincere sympathies to those affected over the past three days.

"Road safety is everyone's issue and responsibility, whether you are driving a car, riding a motorcycle or bicycle, a pedestrian or a passenger.

"Think of the fatal five - slow down, don't pick up a mobile phone while driving, wear seatbelts and child restraints, don't get behind the wheel fatigued and don't drink or take drugs and drive.

"I urge Queenslanders to stay alert and focus on the driving task at all times."

Mr Bailey said one in three people killed in road crashes were passengers, pedestrians or other road users.

"If you're ever tempted to do the wrong thing behind the wheel, ask yourself if it's worth the risk – to yourself or another innocent road user," Mr Bailey said.

Last year the Palaszczuk Government released the Road Safety Strategy and Action Plan to improve safety, reduce injury and curb the state's road toll.

The strategy sets a long-term vision of zero deaths on Queensland roads, and interim target to reduce the road toll below 200 by 2020.

Mr Bailey said Queensland Road Safety Week is coming up on 22 August and would highlight key issues throughout the week with activities across the state.

"Road Safety Week is about encouraging the community to challenge the road toll status quo. Let's stop accepting the risk of death and serious injury as part and parcel of using our roads," he said.

For more information on how individuals, community groups, schools and workplaces can get involved in Road Safety Week, visit http://www.jointhedrive.qld.gov.au/road-safety-week

To improve road safety, in the past year the Palaszczuk Government has:

    completed 196 projects and invested $151 million under the Targeted Road Safety Program
    upgraded 900km of road using the award-winning wide centreline treatments, providing a wider, safer gap between oncoming vehicles
    installed 181 flashing lights in schools zones this past year, bringing the total to 643
    completed 16 safety project costing $36.49 million on the Bruce Highway
    doubled demerit points for repeat mobile phone offenders and conducted road safety campaigns about the hazards of driving while texting to help tackle the issue.
    enhanced the Q-SAFE practical driving test, and a logbook app to help learner drivers and supervisors
    coordinated Join the Drive to Save Lives campaigns, targeting speeding, drink driving ('Dry Driver'), distractions, 'stay wider of the rider' and young drivers through 'Settle Down Stallion'
        'Dry Driver' – dink driving campaign
        'Stay wider of the rider' – minimum passing
        'Settle Down Stallion' online campaign aimed at young drivers
        'Sixth Sense' – motorcycle safety campaign with five-time world MotoGP champion Mick Doohan
    allocated more than $3.5 million in road safety community grants to more than 100 community organisations. (deleted a sentence here)
    introduced an enhanced licensing system to improve the safety of motorcycle riders.

ENDS

COURIER_MAIL STORY ....

'Palaszczuk Government is basically broke', says Ciobo

FEDERAL Trade Minister Steve Ciobo has slammed the Queensland Government as "basically broke" for continued delays on an upgrade to the M1 between Brisbane and the Gold Coast.
Speaking at a tourism conference at Surfers Paradise today, the Member for Moncrieff was asked about the impasse over upgrades to sections of the motorway on the Gold Coast.

Steve Ciobo says: "We're offering funding on a 50-50 basis ...", but Queensland Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey says the funding should be an 80-20 split " ... like other roads of national significance."

He said the Federal Government had committed to providing half the funding, and the reason the project had not yet started was because the State Government was practically broke.
"The Federal Government has put money on the table for the exact same stretch of road, not once but twice," he said.

"Now, the State Government likes to float around saying they need more money to get this project happening, but frankly we all know the real situation in Queensland.
"The real situation is that the Palaszczuk Government is basically broke.

"That's the reason they are robbing the Queensland Investment Commission on superannuation funds, that's the reason they are loading up state-owned enterprises with more and more debt.

"(Main Roads Minister) Mark Bailey and the state Premier (Annastacia Palaszczuk) will argue til the cows come home that somehow they're being dudded.  We're offering funding on a 50-50 basis which incidentally is the same funding model as ... northern NSW, as Victoria.  I think it's time the State Government made this a priority."

Mr Bailey disputed Mr Ciobo's comments, saying funding should be an 80-20 split, as was the case with other roads of national significance.  "The Gold Coast deserves the same fair deal," he said.

Media Release
Minister for Main Roads, Road Safety and Ports and Minister for Energy, Biofuels and Water Supply
The Honourable Mark Bailey

Powerful new campaign highlights Queensland's real road toll

A new road safety campaign which aims to give a human face to the reality of Queensland's road toll to highlight the real effect it has on everyday lives, has been launched today in Brisbane.

Main Roads and Road Safety Minister Mark Bailey and Queensland Police Commissioner Ian Stewart along with families of those who have lost loved ones from road trauma, launched the My Road Toll campaign at Parliament House ahead of Queensland Road Safety Week (22-28 August).

"The My Road Toll campaign is a powerful reminder of the personal trauma experienced by family and friends who lose loved ones in a crash, because as the campaign says, one death is one too many," Mr Bailey said.

"This campaign is all about personal loss and demonstrates the road toll isn't just a number. The reality is road crashes devastate the lives of real people every day.

"Today I'm launching the My Road Toll campaign in conjunction with Queensland Road Safety Week. This is an opportunity for all Queenslanders to identify with and understand the reality of losing a loved one in a crash.

"These are deeply personal stories and I want to thank all the participants for being involved in an effort to make our roads safer."

Mr Bailey was joined by some of the people who took part in the My Road Toll videos.

Gladstone's Aunty Neola lost her son James "Jumbo" in a car crash.

"It's affected the whole community, he was friends with everybody," Aunty Neola said.

"When I hear the road toll, I think about the lives that have been lost and the families who suffer like I did.

"Knowing what I now know, and what pain I've gone through with my son, I just hope people, when they're driving on the road, realise that anything can happen."

Sharon Roneberg from Cairns lost her daughter Tanya in a road-related incident in 2013.

"You never recover from losing a loved one, that's for sure," Mrs Roneberg said.

"Our family was devastated because someone did the wrong thing on the road.

"This week, I would encourage everyone to watch a My Road Toll video, do the right thing behind the wheel and speak up for road safety."

Mr Bailey thanked the eight families who participated in the My Road Toll videos.

"Every person who sat in front of the camera to tell their story has been personally affected by the loss of a loved one as the result of road trauma," Mr Bailey said.

"Thank you for bravely telling your story and sending a clear message about road safety.

"This is a powerful campaign and I would encourage all Queenslanders to go online and see what they have to say in honour of the people they lost."

The My Road Toll campaign will be shown online from today. To view the videos visit www.jointhedrive.qld.gov.au

Queensland Road Safety Week

Queensland Police Commissioner Ian Stewart said Queensland Road Safety Week was an initiative that gave all Queenslanders an opportunity to be directly involved in making our roads safer.

"Take the time to share a personal story, suggest a road safety tip, talk to your kids, family and friends about staying safe, or make a pledge to improve a single road behaviour," Mr Stewart said.

"I would urge everyone to be aware of the fatal five driving behaviours and do the right thing – wear a seatbelt, don't speed, don't drink alcohol or take drugs and drive, don't drive fatigued, and don't drive distracted.

"These messages are not new, but continue to be the main factors behind road trauma."

Mr Bailey added that Road Safety Week was about encouraging the community to challenge the status quo.

"Let's stop accepting death and serious injury as just part of using our roads," he said.

"Queenslanders are encouraged to speak up for road safety and support the week through hosting local events or sharing information among staff, students, colleagues, family and friends.

"Road safety is everyone's responsibility – whether you drive a small car or large truck, are a cyclist, pedestrian or even a back seat passenger."

Road Safety Week is a Queensland Government initiative and runs from 22-28 August with events happening throughout the state to raise awareness and encourage people to listen to do the right thing on the road.

During Queensland Road Safety Week each day focuses on a different road user behaviour – one of the 'Fatal Five':

    Monday 22 August: Distractions
    Tuesday 23 August: Speeding
    Wednesday 24 August: Fatigue, seatbelts and child restraints
    Thursday 25 August: Share the road
    Friday 26 August: Drink and drug driving

Visit http://www.jointhedrive.qld.gov.au/road-safety-week for further details on how you can get involved and follow the conversation on social media using the hashtag #SpeakUpSelfie.

ENDS

Sent to all outlets:

26th December 2016

Here is a real safety suggestion

Greetings,

How about for Christmas and Holiday time for 2017/2018 that the Queensland Government directs the Transport authorities to keep the key rail corridors open to the Sunshine Coast and the Gold Coast, and put on additional special passenger rail services.

Presently the Sunshine Coast Line is closed and has been since the 24th December for ' track works '. Opens again on the 28th December.

It is carnage out on the roads. Trauma, mayhem and congestion. Do you not think it would be good to offer a  much safer alternative for travel than on the dangerous roads?

Rail is anywhere between 40 to 100 times safer than road transport so why are we not as a community encouraging it more?

Can we please get a guarantee that from this point on, everything will be done to keep key rail corridors open, and supplemented with additional passenger rail services during the holiday periods.  It is scandalous to not do that.

Best wishes
Robert

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org
RAIL Back On Track https://backontrack.org

26th December 2016

Media Release
Minister for Main Roads, Road Safety and Ports and Minister for Energy, Biofuels and Water Supply
The Honourable Mark Bailey

Focus on holiday memories continues the road safety message

With Christmas over for another year and New Year approaching, it's time to keep safety top of mind when driving over the holiday period.

Main Roads and Road Safety Minister Mark Bailey said the "Memories" road safety campaign will now shift to feature vintage holiday memories and experiences.

"I urge Queenslanders to drive safely over the school holidays and the Australia Day long weekend," Mr Bailey said.

"We've already had a shocking start to the Christmas holiday period with 246 fatalities, nine up from the same time last year.

"We don't want to see any more deaths on our roads."

Mr Bailey said the holiday commercial will feature in cinemas, outdoor billboards, press and online from December 26 with the new television commercial airing from January 22 in the lead-up to Australia Day.

"Road safety is everyone's responsibility, every fatal crash or serious injury has a long-lasting effect on the family and friends left behind," he said.

"Plan your journey and, if you are travelling a long way, prepare to have regular rest stops to avoid fatigue.

"Stick to the speed limit and never overtake in an unsafe manner. If it's wet, drive with extra caution and if it's flooded, forget it.

"Please drive safely and ensure your holiday memories are happy ones, as we all want a great, safe start to 2017."

The road safety reminders will also be court-side at the Brisbane Bullets vs Cairns Taipans New Year's Eve game, as well as at the Brisbane Heat Big Bash games throughout January at the Gabba.

The campaign also encourages people to get involved through social media by sharing their holiday memories on the Join the Drive website, and encouraging their family and friends to drive safely this holiday season.

FAST FACTS

    246 people lost their lives on Queensland roads this year (up 9 on last year)
    1 in 4 road fatalities involved a speeding driver (2015)
    1 in 5 road fatalities involved a driver under the influence of drugs or alcohol (2015)
    33 fatalities and 2,068 people injured from traffic crashes during last year's 50-day campaign
    624,798 RBTs and 9,287 drug tests were conducted during last year's campaign
    $365 and three demerit points is the current first offence fine for using your mobile phone while operating a vehicle.

ENDS

https://twitter.com/RACQOfficial/status/907016049937203201

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/910903296285589509

https://twitter.com/RACQOfficial/status/958131964392820736

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/958478504902799360

https://twitter.com/MarkBaileyMP/status/999830767839543296

https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/documents/hansard/2018/2018_08_23_DAILY.pdf

Queensland Parliament Hansard

Road Safety Week

Hon. MC BAILEY (Miller—ALP) (Minister for Transport and Main Roads) (9.49 am): Since our
first day in office, the Palaszczuk government has been devoted to improving road safety in
Queensland. We initiated a statewide Road Safety Week and today I am proud to confirm to the House
that we will hold it for the fourth time next week. I look forward to launching Road Safety Week later
today with my colleagues Minister Ryan and Minister Crawford. As the nation's only state based road
safety week, Queensland Road Safety Week has become an integral part of our efforts to reduce the
road toll to zero. We cannot aim for anything less.

Last year, tragically 247 people lost their lives on Queensland roads and, this year, sadly we
have lost another 166 people. However, that is only part of the impact on the community with thousands
more seriously injured. Last year, 6,450 Queenslanders were hospitalised, many with life-altering
injuries. Road trauma is one of biggest public health issues facing our community and during Road
Safety Week I am asking all Queenslanders to play their part in changing their driving behaviour.
Research shows that by not following the road rules you are putting your life and others at risk.
Queensland Road Safety Week will focus on different road safety issues over the course of the week.
It will start with pedestrians on Monday, followed by motorists, heavy vehicle drivers, bicycle riders and
conclude on Friday with motorcyclists.

Last year, the Palaszczuk government launched the Queensland road safety action plan for
2017-19 to help reduce the road toll. In the past 12 months, we have taken considerable steps to
implement these actions and I am proud to report the following achievements: as of 30 June this year,
we have delivered $148 million in targeted road safety program projects, including fixing high-risk
intersections, engineering treatments such as wider centre lines and the removal of roadside hazards;
we are on track to deliver safer school journeys for students with 1,000 school zones to have flashing
school zone signs by 2020; we have released the SafeCars app to give car buyers better access to
safety rating information when purchasing a vehicle; we will continue to make changes to pedestrian
crossing light timings to better protect pedestrians; and we will invest over $241 million in safer cycling
infrastructure between 2018-19 and 2021-22.

Looking to the future needs of Queenslanders, we continue to plan for emerging technologies
such as autonomous vehicles through our Cooperative and Automated Vehicle Initiative. Of course,
that initiative holds great potential for road safety benefits into the future. Targeted road safety education
will also continue via our advertising and social media campaigns.

I have written to all members of parliament seeking their support to help spread the potentially
lifesaving Road Safety Week message in all of our communities right across the state. During this year's
Queensland Road Safety Week, I ask our community to get involved in making our roads safer. Sadly,
most fatal crashes are preventable. I challenge Queensland not only to pledge to change one negative
road behaviour themselves but also to refresh their knowledge of the road rules, because they are
designed to reduce the toll and to ensure that we respect everybody else on the road as we move about
Queensland.

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/1034471980370550784

Couriermail --> Why men are dying in droves on Queensland roads

QuoteMEN are almost three times more likely to die in a road crash than women, shocking new Queensland figures reveal.

A staggering 2250 men died on Queensland roads in the past 10 years, making up 73 per cent of the official toll.
And in just eight months this year, 4300 men were taken to hospital after serious crashes, compared to 2656 women.

Road Policing Command Assistant Commissioner Mike Keating told The Courier-Mail: "I think it's because women don't take the risks that men do when they're driving a car."

He said motorcyclist deaths were disproportionately high for men, but fewer women rode bikes.

There have been more than 600 motorcycle fatalities in the past decade.

Mr Keating said gender didn't matter in fatal accidents.

"It's a loss of life," he said.

"And then you've got those that are seriously injured. Long-term injuries. These are massive impacts on people that we need to be mindful of."

He said motorists did not have to face risks if they stuck to the road rules.

One bad example was a man caught driving at Mount Isa with a blood-alcohol content of .358 in October.

"That's seven times the proscribed limit. You know, you just wonder how that can happen in this day and age," Mr Keating said.

In one tragic case this year, Joshua Dylan Gray, 15, was killed when the stolen car he was travelling in crashed into a home in Stafford, in Brisbane's north, about 2am.

The driver and another passenger, both 15, fled the scene. The driver was later charged.

Another accident, just weeks later, claimed the life of a man, 24, who crashed into a tree when driving a car with four of his young friends in Murrumba Downs, north of Brisbane.

Figures show road fatalities are the leading cause of death after self-half harm for Queensland men aged 15 to 24.

For men aged 25-34 in Queensland, road deaths are the third largest factor.

The most recent survey by the ABS into causes of death showed 36 Queensland men aged 15 to 24 died in road crashes in 2016.

This was almost three times the number of fatalities for women.

Professor Barry Watson, of Queensland University of Technology's Centre for Accident Research & Road Safety Queensland (CARRS-Q), said young drivers, particularly men, were over represented in crashes for several reasons.

"Young people, in general, they tend to be high-risk takers, it's often a point in time where they're looking for more personal autonomy, testing their own limits," he said.

"When it's combined with inexperience as drivers it really accentuates a problem.

"Unfortunately often young people can't afford a flashier vehicle so you've got a double whammy of them being the most inexperienced drivers often driving the least-safe vehicle."

Mr Watson said encouraging parents to buy the safest car for their children and improving vehicle safety were important.

CARRS-Q traffic psychology expert Dr Ioni Lewis said men could be a complex group to target in safety messaging.

She said males generally didn't respond well to "graphic fear-based" safety campaigns.

"It's not necessarily because they don't see the crash or being killed as a bad thing," she said.

"They just don't see it as something that would happen to them.

"Humour has shown some positive effects with males but humour has to be used very carefully and appropriately and never linked to serious consequences such as a crash."

Sent to all outlets:

27th November 2018

Road trauma is breaking the nation

Good Morning,

We note the Road Safety campaign launched today at the Couriermail and related news agencies.

E.g.  Road safety campaign explores biggest risks and horrors in attempt to cut 240 annual deaths https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/road-safety-campaign-explores-biggest-risks-and-horrors-in-attempt-to-cut-240-annual-deaths/news-story/1e2eab2cbe21d292650981f69fc25189

This is a very welcome campaign.  We at at RAIL Back on Track have been highlighting the absolute scourge of road trauma for some time.

We need to prioritise safe transport modes.  Roads are unsafe and deadly.  This is a sad fact.

An article I wrote in 2010.  Still current.

https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?action=articles;sa=view;article=3

Summary: The road trauma cost is a drain on our economy. It is not sustainable. It is now clear that as a nation we must move to safe sustainable transport systems for people and bulk freight.

Road trauma is breaking the nation

There are few Australians that have not felt the grief, the loss, the hopelessness, of the ongoing tragedy of the consequences of road trauma. Every day the media chronicles the sad litany.  A recent study commissioned by the Australasian Railway Association on the cost of road crashes has revealed the cost in blunt economic terms (1).  Previous estimates have been conservative underestimates; this latest rigorous systematic study has revealed the costs of road fatalities and trauma to be in the order of at least thirty five billion dollars annually.  This figure is going to increase rapidly as the road injury management costs continue to climb.  There is a much wider social cost to be added but for now let us just consider the economic impact of the road trauma.

This road trauma cost is a drain on our economy.  It is not sustainable.  It is now clear that as a nation we must move to safe sustainable transport systems for people and bulk freight.  Investment in safe public transport through infrastructure and operating subsidies actually saves money.  This is a lesson transport planners and governments everywhere must heed.  The massive expenditure on roads is leading to unmanageable cost impacts.  Investment in safe transport systems is actually saving money.  Next time you are held up at a railway crossing as a packed peak hour commuter train passes, give out three cheers.  Those passengers are saving you and Australia ultimately a lot of pain.

Rail is approximately 40 times safer than travel by car.  Travel by bus is about 10 times safer than travel by car.  It is clear that we need to start maximizing use of our rail networks, and support those networks with bus transport to feed rail stations where possible.  A major project such as the Cross River Rail Tunnel for Brisbane is actually going to return huge savings.  The tunnel is equivalent to a 30 lane road highway in terms of passenger capacity.  Why haven't we started the actual digging?

The rail network in south east Queensland is underutilised.  It is time to increase train frequency on all the major lines.  Ideally no less frequent than 15 minutes in off peak periods during the day, peak times more frequent as loadings demand.  Weekends, holidays and after 9pm at night no less frequent than 20 minutes.  Properly support the increased rail frequency with a coordinated feeder bus network.  Make travel by public transport attractive.  The present rail timetable in South East Queensland has one of the worst train frequencies in Australia and for comparable size cities worldwide.  A high frequency rail service makes bus rail connections much more functional and encourages people to get out of their cars and onto safe transport.

The social isolation of cars is something we seldom consider.  In the 1950s, family trips to visit relatives in the country or city were usually by rail, an adventure and sharing an experience with others.  There was a feeling of community and belonging and the opportunity to meet new folk.  Many encounters on public transport have endured as long lasting friendships.   The social isolation of cars is not conducive for a healthy community.  The increasing demand for anti-depressant medications for example is a sign of an increasingly unhappy nation.  Little wonder when one considers the terrifying impact of the road toll.  Regular travel by public transport is a community experience.  There is social contact and a feeling of belonging.  Most journeys by public transport involve an element of active transport, walking or perhaps a bicycle ride to and from the bus or rail stations at departure and end points of the public transport ride.  This active transport leads to healthy outcomes.  There is a reduction in obesity and diabetes, both conditions that are costly for our communities and health care.

We need roads, but we must start to correct the imbalance in funding that is road centric.  There are signs that those in government are starting to hear this message.  Recent commitments for the long overdue Petrie to Kippa-Ring railway in Queensland and the railway from Parramatta to Epping in New South Wales are very welcome. But much more needs to be done.  In south-east Queensland here are some immediate rail priorities:  extend the Gold Coast railway to Coolangatta, duplicate the Sunshine Coast line from Beerburrum to Landsborough and eventually to Nambour, full duplication of the Cleveland line beyond Manly, Coomera to Helensvale duplication, Lawnton to Petrie triplication, Kuraby to Kingston triplication, Darra to Redbank triplication, and electrification from Rosewood to Gatton.  These improvements are needed to provide the backbone of a safe sustainable public transport network for a sustainable future.

To augment the heavy rail network, bus rapid transit and light rail has its role. The Gold Coast light rail is going to herald a change in our thinking.  Modern light rail is a superb people mover.  The loss of the tram system in Brisbane in 1969 can only be described as a disaster.  If the tram system had been kept operational it would have evolved as has the tram network in Melbourne which is now the greatest tram system in the world.  However, in the years to come there will be opportunities to return modern light rail to Brisbane, and it is the Gold Coast light rail that will alert citizens to what is possible.  Continued support for active transport options is also very cost effective.  Expansions of the bicycle path network are sensible, but also improve the amenity for pedestrians, the walkers.

The most important factor in driving public transport uptake is frequency.  The train frequency can be increased very quickly.  The other projects will take a little longer.  Now is the time to start to shake off the economic straight jacket of road trauma.  We must, the costs of road trauma are breaking our nation.

Reference:

1.  Australasian Railway Association Inc  The cost of road crashes: A review of key issues Dr Richard Tooth  http://www.ara.net.au/UserFiles/file/Publications/TheCostofRoadCrashesReport.pdf


Mr Robert Dow is the administrator and founder of RAIL Back On Track http://backontrack.org  a web based community group that advocates for sustainable transport solutions.

Robert is by profession a Medical Scientist, and is a Life member and Fellow of the Australian Institute of Medical Scientists.

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org
RAIL Back On Track https://backontrack.org

Letter to the Editor Queensland Times 29th November 2018 page 15

Roads campaign welcome

https://twitter.com/railbotforum/status/1067857826150670338

Sunshine Coast Daily --> $1.3b cost of tragic crashes to Coast's economy

QuoteTHE financial toll of tragedies on our roads has been revealed, with more than $1.34 billion ripped from the community in the past five years.

The figures were revealed as part of the Sunshine Coast Council's Integrated Transport Strategy.

Collated with data from the Department of Transport and Main Roads, the figures estimated accounted for lost productivity, property damage, health care, emergency services and insurance costs, on top of the personal suffering.

From 2012-2017 there were 5039 reported crashes on Coast roads.

Each year about 400 crashes resulted in death or serious injury.

The 92 fatalities in the region had cost an estimated $750 million, while the 1874 crashes requiring hospitalisation cost around $320 million.

Victims who required medical treatment ripped $241 million from the region's economy, while even minor injuries cost $31 million.

University of the Sunshine Coast road safety researcher and leader of the Adolescent Risk Research Unit Dr Bridie Scott-Parker said most people had no idea about the financial costs of road accidents and often never thought about them.

"They usually think about the insurance cost," she said.

"But repairing infrastructure, if you hit a power pole for example (they don't consider)."

Dr Scott-Parker said the flow-on effects of a serious injury from a crash also added up quickly.

From medical bills to parking at hospitals and lost wages of the victim and their carer, she said many failed to consider the effect.

"All of these costs add up," she said.

"For young people (killed or seriously injured) that's potentially 60 years of income gone in one fell swoop."

Dr Scott-Parker said she expected the true costs would be even greater than those estimated, as they were only for crashes reported.

She said in some cases she'd researched the "good" outcomes from serious crashes had left people wheelchair-bound, which meant major modifications to their homes and cars.

Some were left with permanent brain injuries and faced a life of unemployment.

"Some of them regret doing what they did and they step up and take ownership," she said.

Other victims she'd spoken with had recovered physically, but had been left with such deep psychological scars they were unable to work and became financial burdens on family.

For teenagers left with permanent injuries, she said it was the loss of spontaneity that hurt most.

The council hoped to reduce the risk of road trauma through major shifts in transport modes to ridesharing and public transport.

Couriermail --> Queensland road toll expected to climb according to leaked documents

QuoteA shock leaked Commonwealth Government document has revealed motorists face a grim future on Australian roads, with extra mayhem and carnage expected over the next decade.

AUTHORITIES are bracing themselves for an explosion in serious road trauma injuries and an increase in the road toll, a shock leaked Commonwealth Government document reveals.

Pointing to a failure of the National Road Safety Strategy, an Infrastructure Department key road safety data update has projected extra mayhem and carnage on our roads over the next decade.

The alarming modelling, which also shows decades of successful campaigns about drink driving is starting to be ignored by motorists, will put further pressure on police and public hospital emergency departments to better plan for more victims.

The 20-page document does not explain why more people are projected to die and be seriously injured on our roads.

But it provides a graph showing the number of fatalities where alcohol was involved increased in 2016 and continued increasing in 2017. The data for 2018 is still being compiled.

It also reveals a dramatic increase in the number of serious injuries. It is estimated by next year, there will be 40,000 victims of serious road trauma, exploding by an extra 10,000 within 10 years.

Deaths are also on a slight trajectory over the decade, hitting about 1300 a year.

The document warns: "we will likely miss 2020 targets for road deaths and serious injuries increased.

"Projections (without new measures) are for increasing deaths and serious injuries beyond 2020 as existing counter-measures have diminishing returns."

Despite safer vehicles, better roads and new technology, Australia is not on track to reduce its road toll by 30 per cent - limiting annual deaths to 998 - by December next year, as set by the National Road Safety Strategy. The strategy also aimed to reduce serious road injuries by 30 per cent by next year.

The target, agreed to by all states and territories in 2011, expires next year and a new target will be negotiated by the Commonwealth and the states.

If the road toll target was met by next year, 35 Queenslanders will be alive, 67 in NSW and eight in Victoria.

It comes as former transport minister, now Veterans Affairs Minister Darren Chester appears to have expressed his frustration over his own Government's response to the road toll.

"Road safety is primarily a state government responsibility but I believe the Federal Government can take on a larger leadership role and improve the coordination of research, data collection and information sharing across state boundaries," Mr Chester told The Courier-Mail.

"As the Minister who set up the inquiry into the National Road Safety Strategy, I never accepted that 1200 people had to die on our roads each year.

"We need a national approach to make sure the best road safety ideas are implemented in each state and there's an increased focus on reducing road trauma.

"The new office structure within the department needs to be properly resourced and given a higher priority by the bureaucrats in Canberra."

The leaked document obtained by The Courier-Mail, was presented to Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack and a small group of stakeholders on September 2. Mr McCormack is the senior minister responsible for road safety.

In 2018, there were 1146 people killed on Australian roads. It is fewer than the 2017 total of 1224 road deaths but higher than in the 12-month period to March 2015.

https://statements.qld.gov.au/statements/94934

New road safety strategy aims to halve deaths over coming decade
11th April 2022

Minister for Transport and Main Roads
The Honourable Mark Bailey

The Palaszczuk Government has today released its 10-year road safety strategy, outlining the approach to saving lives on Queensland Roads, which includes raising some fines.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said the Queensland Road Safety Strategy 2022-31 was aimed at reducing the number of lives lost on our roads.

"We've had a tragic start to the year, with 81 lives lost on Queensland roads already – that's 81 people who are missing from dinner tables around the state," Mr Bailey said.

"Today we are reaffirming our commitment to zero road deaths and serious injuries by 2050 by cracking down on driver behaviour.

"The strategy's action plan also delivers new penalties for speeding, running a red light and seatbelt offences starting 1 July 2022.

"Running a red-light will now set you back more than $550 and drivers will continue to receive three demerit points for this offence.

"Penalties for seatbelt offences will also see a significant increase to more than $1000, as well as increasing the demerit point penalty from three to four.

"In the first four months of our new seatbelt detection cameras going live, almost 14,000 seatbelt offences were recorded.

"We've been educating drivers on the importance of seatbelts for 50 years, but somehow the message didn't get through to almost 14,000 people, so it's time to get tough.

"We make no apologies for being tough on this reckless and dangerous behaviour, just like we did for mobile phone offences.

"The message is simple, if you don't want one of these fines, do the right thing on our roads."

Mr Bailey said every cent collected from the fines will be re-invested into road safety.

"This year alone, we have over $1.7 billion invested in road safety initiatives to prioritise road safety upgrades, improve driver education, make school zones safer and develop policies to reduce road crashes and trauma," he said.

"In 2021 almost a quarter of lives lost on the road involved motorcyclists which is something we don't want to see repeated this year.

"Our Ride to Zero campaign will be rolled out in collaboration with motorcycle groups and organisations that actively contribute to the development and implementation of community-led rider safety.

"Regional communities disproportionately shoulder the burden of lives lost, with over half of all road fatalities occurring on rural roads, which is why we will develop resources specifically targeting regional and rural road safety."

Mr Bailey said the penalty for not wearing a seatbelt or not wearing it properly would now align with the mobile phone penalty.

"Speeding, red-light and seatbelt offending are major contributors to a high level of road trauma," he said.

"Speeding penalties will be increased to send a clear message that speeding, regardless of the level, is dangerous and will not be tolerated."

Mr Bailey said the Palaszczuk Government remained committed to continued investment in foundational road safety measures, including infrastructure improvements and treatments, deterrents and enforcement.

"The Queensland road network and the communities it connects are vast and diverse, which is why we need to do more to get the road safety message across," he said.

"That's why the strategy has a strong community focus, championing grassroots initiatives."

Mr Bailey said the strategy would be delivered in three phases across 10 years, with each phase supported by an action plan. The first of these is the Queensland Road Safety Action Plan 2022-24.

"This action plan is focused on initiating change, with 20 practical actions to improve road safety outcomes and set the foundations for future initiatives," he said.

The new strategy and action plan can be accessed via: https://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/Safety/Road-safety/Road-safety-strategy-and-action-plans/Strategy-and-action-plans.

Flogging a dead horse..no pun intended.

https://statements.qld.gov.au/statements/95116

Road safety plea after nine lives lost in three days

9th May 2022

Minister for Transport and Main Roads
The Honourable Mark Bailey

Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey has renewed calls for safe driving after a tragic weekend on Queensland roads.

Mr Bailey said nine lives were sadly lost in three days (Friday, 6 May – Sunday, 8 May).

"I cannot stress the importance of doing the right thing when you are behind the wheel because the consequences can be deadly," he said.

"Instead of celebrating Mother's Day this weekend, nine families were missing loved ones from around the dinner table.

"My thoughts go out to every person impacted by these tragedies.

"We're only nine days into May and already 13 people have lost their lives.

"We've also seen a number of serious injuries from crashes over the weekend and the impact of those shouldn't be underestimated – the effects can be traumatic and life-long.

"My message to people is to think about how your loved one would feel if you didn't make it home today."

Mr Bailey said the fatal five were factors in far too many of the fatal crashes record.

"I get reports through from every fatal crash, and all too often I am seeing the fatal five factoring in," he said.

"That's speeding, drink and drug driving, fatigue, mobile phone use and seatbelts.

"So far this year we've seen over 100 people lose their lives, which is more than this time last year.

"We cannot remain on this trajectory.

"Sadly, most of the lives lost are entirely preventable and I urge people to think about that every time they get behind the wheel.

"Think about your family, your friends, your colleagues, and make sure you are getting home safely."

Mr Bailey said the Palaszczuk Government was investing heavily in road safety.

"We have $1.7 billion invested in road safety this budget, which is being rolled out through different programs state-wide to make our roads safer," he said.

"We're investing in education campaigns, road upgrades or new technologies.

"Now it's your turn to play a part and do the right thing every time you're on the road."

Mr Bailey also reminded motorists that much of the state would experience wet weather this week leading to difficult driving conditions.

"People need to drive to the conditions and remember, if it's flooded, forget it," he said.

For more information on road safety, visit www.tmr.qld.gov.au/

For more information on the fatal five, visit www.streetsmarts.initiatives.qld.gov.au/

LIVES LOST DATA YEAR TOTAL FATALITIES

2019   220

2020   278

2021   275

2022   (year to date) 108

ENDS

Sent to all outlets:

Road trauma is breaking the nation

1st January 2023

Good Morning,

We note sadly that the Queensland road toll for 2022 was 299 fatalities, the most since 2009 when 331 people died. There are many, many more long-term injuries than fatalities.

The road trauma cost is a drain on our economy, it is destroying lives, it is serious burden on our health care system. It is not sustainable. It is now clear that as a nation we must move to safe sustainable transport systems for people and bulk freight.

I wrote this article ' Road trauma is breaking the nation ' in 2010.

It is still current.  Action is needed by Governments everywhere, the right actions.

Road trauma is breaking the nation

There are few Australians that have not felt the grief, the loss, the hopelessness, of the ongoing tragedy of the consequences of road trauma. Every day the media chronicles the sad litany.  A recent study commissioned by the Australasian Railway Association on the cost of road crashes has revealed the cost in blunt economic terms (1).  Previous estimates have been conservative underestimates; this latest rigorous systematic study has revealed the costs of road fatalities and trauma to be in the order of at least thirty five billion dollars annually.  This figure is going to increase rapidly as the road injury management costs continue to climb.  There is a much wider social cost to be added but for now let us just consider the economic impact of the road trauma.

This road trauma cost is a drain on our economy.  It is not sustainable.  It is now clear that as a nation we must move to safe sustainable transport systems for people and bulk freight.  Investment in safe public transport through infrastructure and operating subsidies actually saves money.  This is a lesson transport planners and governments everywhere must heed.  The massive expenditure on roads is leading to unmanageable cost impacts.  Investment in safe transport systems is actually saving money.  Next time you are held up at a railway crossing as a packed peak hour commuter train passes, give out three cheers.  Those passengers are saving you and Australia ultimately a lot of pain.

Rail is approximately 40 times safer than travel by car.  Travel by bus is about 10 times safer than travel by car.  It is clear that we need to start maximizing use of our rail networks, and support those networks with bus transport to feed rail stations where possible.  A major project such as the Cross River Rail Tunnel for Brisbane is actually going to return huge savings.  The tunnel is equivalent to a 30 lane road highway in terms of passenger capacity.  Why haven't we started the actual digging?

The rail network in south east Queensland is underutilised.  It is time to increase train frequency on all the major lines.  Ideally no less frequent than 15 minutes in off peak periods during the day, peak times more frequent as loadings demand.  Weekends, holidays and after 9pm at night no less frequent than 20 minutes.  Properly support the increased rail frequency with a coordinated feeder bus network.  Make travel by public transport attractive.  The present rail timetable in South East Queensland has one of the worst train frequencies in Australia and for comparable size cities worldwide.  A high frequency rail service makes bus rail connections much more functional and encourages people to get out of their cars and onto safe transport.

The social isolation of cars is something we seldom consider.  In the 1950s, family trips to visit relatives in the country or city were usually by rail, an adventure and sharing an experience with others.  There was a feeling of community and belonging and the opportunity to meet new folk.  Many encounters on public transport have endured as long lasting friendships.  The social isolation of cars is not conducive for a healthy community.  The increasing demand for anti-depressant medications for example is a sign of an increasingly unhappy nation.  Little wonder when one considers the terrifying impact of the road toll.  Regular travel by public transport is a community experience.  There is social contact and a feeling of belonging.  Most journeys by public transport involve an element of active transport, walking or perhaps a bicycle ride to and from the bus or rail stations at departure and end points of the public transport ride.  This active transport leads to healthy outcomes.  There is a reduction in obesity and diabetes, both conditions that are costly for our communities and health care.

We need roads, but we must start to correct the imbalance in funding that is road centric.  There are signs that those in government are starting to hear this message.  Recent commitments for the long overdue Petrie to Kippa-Ring railway in Queensland and the railway from Parramatta to Epping in New South Wales are very welcome. But much more needs to be done.  In south-east Queensland here are some immediate rail priorities:  extend the Gold Coast railway to Coolangatta, duplicate the Sunshine Coast line from Beerburrum to Landsborough and eventually to Nambour, full duplication of the Cleveland line beyond Manly, Coomera to Helensvale duplication, Lawnton to Petrie triplication, Kuraby to Kingston triplication, Darra to Redbank triplication, and electrification from Rosewood to Gatton.  These improvements are needed to provide the backbone of a safe sustainable public transport network for a sustainable future.

To augment the heavy rail network, bus rapid transit and light rail has its role. The Gold Coast light rail is going to herald a change in our thinking.  Modern light rail is a superb people mover.  The loss of the tram system in Brisbane in 1969 can only be described as a disaster.  If the tram system had been kept operational it would have evolved as has the tram network in Melbourne which is now the greatest tram system in the world.  However, in the years to come there will be opportunities to return modern light rail to Brisbane, and it is the Gold Coast light rail that will alert citizens to what is possible.  Continued support for active transport options is also very cost effective.  Expansions of the bicycle path network are sensible, but also improve the amenity for pedestrians, the walkers.

The most important factor in driving public transport uptake is frequency.  The train frequency can be increased very quickly.  The other projects will take a little longer.  Now is the time to start to shake off the economic straight jacket of road trauma.  We must, the costs of road trauma are breaking our nation.

Robert Dow 2010

Reference:

1.  Australasian Railway Association Inc  The cost of road crashes: A review of key issues Dr Richard Tooth  http://www.ara.net.au/UserFiles/file/Publications/TheCostofRoadCrashesReport.pdf (no longer accessible)
Copy available at https://backontrack.org/docs/ara/TheCostofRoadCrashesReport.pdf PDF 0.3MB

Mr Robert Dow is the administrator and founder of RAIL Back On Track http://backontrack.org  a web based community group that advocates for sustainable transport solutions.

Robert is by profession a Medical Scientist (retired), and is a Life member and Fellow of the Australian Institute of Medical Scientists.

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org
RAIL Back On Track https://backontrack.org

Facebook ...

https://twitter.com/railbotforum/status/1609620952169721856

ABC News --> Queensland records 'horrific' road toll for 2022, surpassing Victoria and NSW

Brisbanetimes --> Road safety roundtable announced to address soaring fatalities

QuoteTransport Minister Mark Bailey has announced there will be a road safety roundtable in a bid to prevent crashes after 299 fatalities were recorded across the state in 2022. ...

Media Release

2nd January 2023

Minister for Transport and Main Roads
The Honourable Mark Bailey

Fresh ideas to improve road safety in Qld

The Palaszczuk Government will bring together transport experts, stakeholders, and industry leaders this month for a road safety roundtable, after a tragic year on Queensland roads.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said he's keen to explore all options to improve road safety with the number of lives lost on Queensland roads in 2022 far too high.

"2022 was a tragic year on Queensland roads with 299 lives lost," Mr Bailey said.

"What's incredibly disappointing is the fact that only a few years ago in 2019, we had the lowest toll since records began, but the pandemic has changed many things, including behaviour on our roads and the number of lives lost has been trending upwards.

"This isn't a situation that's unique to Queensland, right across the world we've seen a similar trend since the start of the pandemic.

"What I want to do is get our transport and accident experts, industry leaders, and key stakeholders all together and see how we can make Queensland roads safer, which is why I'll be hosting a roundtable later this month.

"The roundtable will include the likes of the Queensland Police Service, RACQ, Safer Australian Roads and Highways Group, Centre for Accident Research and Road Safety Queensland, and the Department of Transport and Main Roads."

Mr Bailey said the fatal five; speeding, drink/drug driving, not wearing a seatbelt, distraction and fatigue were still contributing to the majority of fatalities on Queensland roads.

"Sadly, we lost 299 lives on Queensland roads in 2022, which is the worst since 2012, but well below the 331 lives we lost in 2009, and the 638 lives lost in 1973.

"The majority of drivers are doing the right thing, using our roads in a safe way, and to those people I would like to say thank you.

"But I get reports through every time a fatal crash occurs on our roads, and in far too many instances' drivers making dangerous choices on our roads are contributing factors to fatalities.

"It's why we've cracked down on the fatal five in recent months."

Mr Bailey said the roundtable will also be exploring other trends which have contributed to the number of lives lost including motorcycle registrations and extreme weather.

"We saw a huge jump in motorcycle registrations, and sadly, an increase in the number of motorcycle fatalities," he said.

"In 2019 we had 45 motorcycle deaths, compared to 74 in 2022.

"In fact, motorcycle deaths in 2022 were 43 per cent above the five-year average.

"Another big factor in the first six months of 2022 was the heavy rain and flooding we saw throughout the state where we lost 12 due to driving into floodwaters.

"Naturally heavy rain and storms also create dangerous driving conditions, and this was a factor in a number of the fatal crashes we saw, especially in the first six months of the year.

"Our state budget delivered more than $1.5 billion towards road safety, and all funds raised through our traffic camera offence program are invested back into road safety.

"We're doing our bit and we need more Queenslanders to do theirs, and that means – slowing down, putting the phone away, wearing a seatbelt properly, not getting behind the wheel impaired by drugs or alcohol, and taking a break when they're tired.

"With more mobile phone and distraction cameras rolled out and moving around Queensland, a record level of improved road infrastructure completing and open, heavier enforcement of drink driving and safer driving from drivers, I'm hoping to see a better year on our roads in 2023.

"All ideas will be welcome at the roundtable, and we'll consider the views of all stakeholders.

"I want to hear what they have to say, because I want to make our roads as safe as possible."

https://twitter.com/newscomauHQ/status/1609781657942327302

Couriermail --> Road safety roundtable called after 299 deaths in Qld in 2022 $

QuoteThe Palaszczuk government will convene a roundtable of road safety experts and stakeholders to find ways to reduce the number of deaths on Queensland roads following a surge in fatalities.

There were 299 road deaths recorded in Queensland in 2022 – making it the most fatalities in the Sunshine State since 2009, when there were 331 lives lost on the roads.

Transport Minister Mark Bailey said a "reset" of road safety policy was needed in Queensland as he announced plans to hold talks with experts to develop new reforms.

Mr Bailey conceded new measures, such as increased fines and new cameras that catch out drivers using their phones, had "clearly" not had the impact authorities were hoping for in 2022. ...

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1609917304699224065

Sent to all outlets:

Re: Road trauma is breaking the nation

3rd January 2023

Good Morning,

The State Government has announced that *"The Palaszczuk Government will bring together transport experts, stakeholders, and industry leaders this month for a road safety roundtable, after a tragic year on Queensland roads. ..." 
*Statement 2nd January 2023 " Fresh ideas to improve road safety in Qld "  Minister for Transport and Main Roads (not online).

We think a roundtable only, with the usual participants, will just lead to the same sort of failure outcomes we are observing at present. 
In addition to the ' roundtable ' there needs to be a state wide public consultation process, to tap into the insights and thoughts of ALL Queenslanders.

Thank you.

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org
RAIL Back On Track https://backontrack.org

Quote from: ozbob on January 01, 2023, 23:41:55 PMSent to all outlets:

Road trauma is breaking the nation

1st January 2023

Good Morning,

We note sadly that the Queensland road toll for 2022 was 299 fatalities, the most since 2009 when 331 people died. There are many, many more long-term injuries than fatalities.

The road trauma cost is a drain on our economy, it is destroying lives, it is serious burden on our health care system. It is not sustainable. It is now clear that as a nation we must move to safe sustainable transport systems for people and bulk freight.

I wrote this article ' Road trauma is breaking the nation ' in 2010.

It is still current.  Action is needed by Governments everywhere, the right actions.

Road trauma is breaking the nation

There are few Australians that have not felt the grief, the loss, the hopelessness, of the ongoing tragedy of the consequences of road trauma. Every day the media chronicles the sad litany.  A recent study commissioned by the Australasian Railway Association on the cost of road crashes has revealed the cost in blunt economic terms (1).  Previous estimates have been conservative underestimates; this latest rigorous systematic study has revealed the costs of road fatalities and trauma to be in the order of at least thirty five billion dollars annually.  This figure is going to increase rapidly as the road injury management costs continue to climb.  There is a much wider social cost to be added but for now let us just consider the economic impact of the road trauma.

This road trauma cost is a drain on our economy.  It is not sustainable.  It is now clear that as a nation we must move to safe sustainable transport systems for people and bulk freight.  Investment in safe public transport through infrastructure and operating subsidies actually saves money.  This is a lesson transport planners and governments everywhere must heed.  The massive expenditure on roads is leading to unmanageable cost impacts.  Investment in safe transport systems is actually saving money.  Next time you are held up at a railway crossing as a packed peak hour commuter train passes, give out three cheers.  Those passengers are saving you and Australia ultimately a lot of pain.

Rail is approximately 40 times safer than travel by car.  Travel by bus is about 10 times safer than travel by car.  It is clear that we need to start maximizing use of our rail networks, and support those networks with bus transport to feed rail stations where possible.  A major project such as the Cross River Rail Tunnel for Brisbane is actually going to return huge savings.  The tunnel is equivalent to a 30 lane road highway in terms of passenger capacity.  Why haven't we started the actual digging?

The rail network in south east Queensland is underutilised.  It is time to increase train frequency on all the major lines.  Ideally no less frequent than 15 minutes in off peak periods during the day, peak times more frequent as loadings demand.  Weekends, holidays and after 9pm at night no less frequent than 20 minutes.  Properly support the increased rail frequency with a coordinated feeder bus network.  Make travel by public transport attractive.  The present rail timetable in South East Queensland has one of the worst train frequencies in Australia and for comparable size cities worldwide.  A high frequency rail service makes bus rail connections much more functional and encourages people to get out of their cars and onto safe transport.

The social isolation of cars is something we seldom consider.  In the 1950s, family trips to visit relatives in the country or city were usually by rail, an adventure and sharing an experience with others.  There was a feeling of community and belonging and the opportunity to meet new folk.  Many encounters on public transport have endured as long lasting friendships.  The social isolation of cars is not conducive for a healthy community.  The increasing demand for anti-depressant medications for example is a sign of an increasingly unhappy nation.  Little wonder when one considers the terrifying impact of the road toll.  Regular travel by public transport is a community experience.  There is social contact and a feeling of belonging.  Most journeys by public transport involve an element of active transport, walking or perhaps a bicycle ride to and from the bus or rail stations at departure and end points of the public transport ride.  This active transport leads to healthy outcomes.  There is a reduction in obesity and diabetes, both conditions that are costly for our communities and health care.

We need roads, but we must start to correct the imbalance in funding that is road centric.  There are signs that those in government are starting to hear this message.  Recent commitments for the long overdue Petrie to Kippa-Ring railway in Queensland and the railway from Parramatta to Epping in New South Wales are very welcome. But much more needs to be done.  In south-east Queensland here are some immediate rail priorities:  extend the Gold Coast railway to Coolangatta, duplicate the Sunshine Coast line from Beerburrum to Landsborough and eventually to Nambour, full duplication of the Cleveland line beyond Manly, Coomera to Helensvale duplication, Lawnton to Petrie triplication, Kuraby to Kingston triplication, Darra to Redbank triplication, and electrification from Rosewood to Gatton.  These improvements are needed to provide the backbone of a safe sustainable public transport network for a sustainable future.

To augment the heavy rail network, bus rapid transit and light rail has its role. The Gold Coast light rail is going to herald a change in our thinking.  Modern light rail is a superb people mover.  The loss of the tram system in Brisbane in 1969 can only be described as a disaster.  If the tram system had been kept operational it would have evolved as has the tram network in Melbourne which is now the greatest tram system in the world.  However, in the years to come there will be opportunities to return modern light rail to Brisbane, and it is the Gold Coast light rail that will alert citizens to what is possible.  Continued support for active transport options is also very cost effective.  Expansions of the bicycle path network are sensible, but also improve the amenity for pedestrians, the walkers.

The most important factor in driving public transport uptake is frequency.  The train frequency can be increased very quickly.  The other projects will take a little longer.  Now is the time to start to shake off the economic straight jacket of road trauma.  We must, the costs of road trauma are breaking our nation.

Robert Dow 2010

Reference:

1.  Australasian Railway Association Inc  The cost of road crashes: A review of key issues Dr Richard Tooth  http://www.ara.net.au/UserFiles/file/Publications/TheCostofRoadCrashesReport.pdf (no longer accessible)
Copy available at https://backontrack.org/docs/ara/TheCostofRoadCrashesReport.pdf PDF 0.3MB

Mr Robert Dow is the administrator and founder of RAIL Back On Track http://backontrack.org  a web based community group that advocates for sustainable transport solutions.

Robert is by profession a Medical Scientist (retired), and is a Life member and Fellow of the Australian Institute of Medical Scientists.

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org
RAIL Back On Track https://backontrack.org

https://twitter.com/railbotforum/status/1609922994733998087

Queensland Parliament

https://documents.parliament.qld.gov.au/tableOffice/questionsAnswers/2023/492-2023.pdf

Question on Notice
No. 492
Asked on 9 May 2023

MR S MINNIKIN ASKED MINISTER FOR TRANSPORT AND MAIN ROADS (HON M BAILEY)

QUESTION:

With reference to the 146 fatal crashes within the 2021–22 financial year involving drivers/riders
who disobeyed road rules (other) as outlined in answer to Question on Notice No. 67 of 2023—
Will the Minister provide a break down of the road rule(s) broken for each of these crashes?

ANSWER:

I thank the Member for Chatsworth for the question.

Contributing factors for the fatal crashes within Queensland involving drivers/riders who
disobeyed road rules (other) during the 2021–2022 financial years:

. cross double lines – 2
. dangerous driving – 34
. drive motor vehicle of excess dimensions – 1
. driving without due care and attentions – 18
. exceeding speed limit – 62
. fail to keep left – 3
. follow too closely – 1
. improper overtaking – 4
. improper u-turn – 1
. over prescribed concentration of alcohol – 59
. tested for drugs only – 50.

Couriermail --> Calls for new approach to road safety as Qld road deaths 'well above' national average $

QuoteQueensland's road deaths are "well above" the national average, according to a new report by the Australian Automobile Association, with calls for certain data to be released to initiate change.

Queensland's road deaths are "well above" the national average, while Australia's target of halving the road toll and eliminating fatalities involving children under seven are not on track to be met.

It has sparked calls for more data to be released on where fatal crashes are occurring and on the number of accidents resulting in serious injuries, not just deaths, so road safety funding can be better directed.

A new report to be released on Monday by the Australian Automobile Association will reveal the grim statistics. ...

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1687851757270077440

Government Media Statement: Harnessing the creativity of young Queenslanders to promote road safety

24th August 2023

https://statements.qld.gov.au/statements/98517