Brisbane Line October 2010 - Road Trauma is Breaking the Nation

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> National Christmas road toll now 11 with fatal crash in South Australia

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Death, despair and carnage of crashes on Queensland's roads is their business

[ozbob]

Twitter

21h Robert Dow  ‏@Robert_Dow

No surprise road trauma worse under LNP @QPSmedia --> https://www.webcrash.transport.qld.gov.au/webcrash2/external/daupage/weekly/roadsense.pdf ... force folks off public transport on to roads #qldpol #trauma

================

Twitter

21h Robert Dow ‏@Robert_Dow

LNP state govt lacks courage, road trauma out of control. Fixated on more trucks and cars #qldpol @TMRQld @QPSmedia --> http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=4652.msg114764#msg114764 ...

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Woman dead, five injured in two-car crash south of Bundaberg

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Car accident injuries on the rise

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

30th December 2012

Road trauma worsening ...

Greetings,

Time to accept that vehicles heading towards each other on bits of bitumen (if you are lucky) at speeds > 200 km per hour combined is never going to be safe.

Road trauma in terms of deaths and injuries is massive, and worsening. Road safety campaigns are as effective as 'p%ssing into the wind' clearly.

We need to change the paradigm - safe sustainable transport options must be provided.  We have rail networks, rail travel is a 100 times safer.

Is it negligent of governments to continue to force people onto the very dangerous roads, particularly when there are rail networks in place?

A concentrated effort must be made to get bulk freight back on to rail, and in so doing help reduce the road ' truck terror'.  Step up rail passenger services to provide people with a real option to the road basket case.

As a nation, it is time to stand up and stop the slaughter.

Best wishes
Robert

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

========================

http://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.

[ozbob]

Panic, if the fools allow B triples on the road network the carnage will be even worse ..

Sydney Morning Herald --> O'Farrell makes way for B-triples to hit the Hume

[ozbob]

http://statements.qld.gov.au/Statement/2012/12/30/make-pedestrian-safety-a-priority?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

Media Statements
Minister for Police and Community Safety
The Honourable Jack Dempsey
Sunday, December 30, 2012

Make pedestrian safety a priority

For broadcast quality sound bites visit http://goo.gl/g9BiK (external site)

Minister for Police and Community Safety Jack Dempsey is asking motorists to be aware of intoxicated pedestrians this festive season.

Mr Dempsey said intoxicated revellers could be unpredictable around roads.

"At this time of year people will be celebrating the season with friends and work colleagues. Occasionally, those who have had a few drinks walk too closely to, or cross streets, without notice and all too often can be struck by a vehicle," Mr Dempsey said.

Mr Dempsey said while drivers should never exceed the speed limit, now was the time to drive a little slower around crowds.

"When you see a group of people or someone walking near the roadway, slow down to give yourself time to stop should they step in front of your vehicle," he said.

"Last year the Queensland Ambulance Service treated 226 people who had been struck by vehicles of which 44 happened over the Christmas period.

"Christmas is a supposed to be a fun time of year so stay safe and ensure the only one who visits your house this festive season is Santa and not a paramedic."

[ENDS] 31 December 2012

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Two dead in early morning crash

[ozbob]

Sydney Morning Herald --> Upgrade rail and get those bigger trucks off road

Panic, if the fools allow B triples on the road network the carnage will be even worse ..

Sydney Morning Herald --> O'Farrell makes way for B-triples to hit the Hume

[ozbob]

Twitter

Robert Dow ‏@Robert_Dow

Upgrade rail and get those bigger trucks off road http://www.smh.com.au/national/letters/upgrade-rail-and-get-those-bigger-trucks-off-road-20121231-2c2qj.html ... ... via @smh #auspol #qldpol @scottemersonmp @theqldpremier @TMRQld

=================

Twitter

Robert Dow ‏@Robert_Dow

This is the way to move truck loads .. --> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ZN5tYIBvlA&sns=fb ... #auspol #qldpol @scottemersonmp @theqldpremier @TMRQld #stoptheslaughter

[ozbob]

From the Couriermail 4th January 2013 page 10

Road tolls exact high injury cost

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

4th January 2013

Road tolls exact high injury cost

Greetings,

Couriermail 4th January 2013 page 10  ' Road tolls exact high injury cost ' has highlighted the injury cost of the road mayhem and trauma,   a point I have been making for some time.  The cost of managing injuries is massive and is 'breaking our nation' ...

Unless we move bulk freight back on to rail, and start providing passenger rail options we are going to be financially ruined as a nation.

Governments must redirect attention from roads to rail.  The fares in SEQ are driving people off public transport, they can't afford it.  What this means is massive flow on costs because of trauma, congestion, environmental impacts.  How dumb are we in Queensland??

Best wishes
Robert

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

Sent to all outlets:

30th December 2012

Road trauma worsening ...

Greetings,

Time to accept that vehicles heading towards each other on bits of bitumen (if you are lucky) at speeds > 200 km per hour combined is never going to be safe.

Road trauma in terms of deaths and injuries is massive, and worsening. Road safety campaigns are as effective as 'p%ssing into the wind' clearly.

We need to change the paradigm - safe sustainable transport options must be provided.  We have rail networks, rail travel is a 100 times safer.

Is it negligent of governments to continue to force people onto the very dangerous roads, particularly when there are rail networks in place?

A concentrated effort must be made to get bulk freight back on to rail, and in so doing help reduce the road ' truck terror'.  Step up rail passenger services to provide people with a real option to the road basket case.

As a nation, it is time to stand up and stop the slaughter.

Best wishes
Robert

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

========================

http://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.

[ozbob]

Letter to the Editor Queensland Times 5th January 2013 page 17

Rail can halt carnage

[ozbob]

From the Sunday Mail 6th January 2013 page 42

Paying the toll for inaction on roads



" ... freight rail to get B double trucks off the road ... "  well said!

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> 2 die after truck and car collide Warrego Highway

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Five dead, many injured in shocking weekend crashes

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Fiery smash claims 14th life in 14 days, as Minister today launches Fatal Five campaign vehicle

[ozbob]

Minister for Police and Community Safety
The Honourable Jack Dempsey

Inattention message gets taken on tour

Queensland's road safety message is going on tour with the launch of the new Queensland Police Service Fatal Five car by Police Minister Jack Dempsey this morning.

Mr Dempsey said the car would be added to the State Traffic Support Branch's (STSB) existing Fatal Five fleet and would highlight "inattention" which was added as a fatal flaw at the end of last year.

"These cars have already proven to be a success in helping spread the message that drivers who speed, drink or drug drive, do not wear a seatbelt or drive tired are putting themselves and other road users at risk," Mr Dempsey said.

"This car will round out the fleet and help promote the message that inattention and driver distraction is potentially fatal.

"Whenever someone gets in a car, all we want is for them to reach their destination safely.

"The 15 deaths on Queensland roads already this year are far too many, but if every driver takes care and obeys the road rules, we can make this year one of the safest on our roads.

"With children to return to school in the coming weeks, I ask that as families return from holidays, they drive carefully to ensure a safe journey."

Police Commissioner Ian Stewart said this new vehicle would take part in STSB operations, while also reminding drivers of the dangers of distracted driving.

"The community's safety is our priority, but as people become more reliant on mobile technology in their daily lives they need to know that using these devices when driving significantly increases crash instances," Commissioner Stewart said.

"This new vehicle will support the Fatal Five message around Queensland as it is used for STSB traffic operations including marked police patrols, speed detection activities and random breath and drug testing operations.

"Mobile devices are a physical, cognitive and visual distraction, whether you are talking on the phone, texting, checking your emails or logging onto other internet sites."

Other common distractions that cause inattention include sound systems, on-board DVD players, unrestrained pets, applying makeup and satellite navigation.

[ENDS] 15 January 2013

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Fines total millions, drivers left without vital insurance cover

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Colin Caudell's highway hell as he witnessed wife of 35 years, Suzanne, killed in B-double truck tragedy

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Road crashes kill one a day in Queensland

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Police promise unmarked cars, RBTS and speed cameras on the state's highways to thwart rising road toll

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Highway closed and people trapped in multiple car crash

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Queensland police plan crackdown after 24 deaths in as many days

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Two trucks and four cars have crashed on the Warrego Highway near Hattonvale

[mufreight]

Couriermail --> Two trucks and four cars have crashed on the Warrego Highway near Hattonvale

Further proof that the operation of B Double and A Double semis have no place on the inadequate Queensland road system yet there are moves to allow the operation of even larger B tripple units which will further increase the risks to the average motorists who through both taxes and registration fees pay the lions share of the cost of road infrastructure.

[ozbob]

Twitter

Robert Dow ‏@Robert_Dow

Scores of long-haul truck drivers suffer from sleep apnoea, http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/scores-of-longhaul-truck-drivers-suffer-from-sleep-apnoea-court-hears-20130130-2dk0f.html ... another reason for bulk freight on rail #auspol #qldpol

[ozbob]

From ABC News click here!

Truck crashes increasing in mining states: report

Truck crashes increasing in mining states: report
By James Woodford for Background Briefing

While crashes involving trucks are decreasing in NSW, a new report has found an alarming surge in Queensland and Western Australia - most likely attributable to the mining boom.

The Bruce Highway is the worst culprit, struggling to keep up with the large numbers of heavy vehicles using the road.

Critics say in spite of massive roadworks, there are not enough overtaking lanes or rest areas.

In addition, as the past week has shown, it cannot cope with the kind of wet weather frequently experienced in Queensland.

Owen Driscoll, the director of research at the National Truck Accident Research Centre (NTARC) - a body wholly funded by National Transport Insurance - is the author of a new report examining every heavy vehicle accident in Australia in 2011.

His research nominates the Bruce Highway as the most dangerous road in the country.

"If you're comparing it to the other major highways in Australia it runs a very poor last," he said.

Another report, published recently by the Australian Automobile Association, found that the Bruce alone accounted for 17 per cent of the deaths on the entire national road network.

Mr Driscoll says that despite the shocking level of fatalities, the Bruce typically services only around 20 per cent of the traffic that runs on major highways such as the Pacific or Hume.

Part of the reason for the high fatality rate is that the Bruce has the greatest proportion of major truck accidents in the country.

The NTARC report pins blame for the rising accident rate on the increase in road transport necessitated by the booming mining industry.

The research also shows a similar high risk of accidents across Queensland and in resource-rich Western Australia.

Not only is the Bruce Highway unsafe, it is a curse for those trying to make a living along it.

In regional Queensland almost everything comes on a truck.

Liz Schmidt, who has run Schmidt Livestock Transport for 34 years and is secretary of the Livestock and Rural Transport Association, is one local scathing in her assessment of the state of the road.

"It's been neglected for a very long time and it's not an all-weather highway," she said.

"I would think in the most recent two wet seasons, we probably lost six or eight weeks with the trucks sitting on the side of the road. Five trucks, five days at a time, or three or four days at a time. And then there'll be a huge event and there'll be a bridge washed out."
Driver fatigue

The new NTARC report implicates other causes for the high rate of truck accidents on the Bruce beyond the poor state of the road.

A popular conception is that heavy vehicle crashes occur when truck drivers are pushing the limits of fatigue, especially at the end of long days.

But Mr Driscoll believes many drivers are fatigued when they start.

"Seventy per cent of incidents are happening on outbound journeys and, in cases where they're on an outbound journey, within the first 250 kilometres," he said.

Mr Driscoll's research initially involved looking at driver logbooks to assess how over-work affected fatigue and crashes, but he soon realised factors outside of work were a major issue.

Drivers coming back from weekend breaks were often just as fatigued as those coming off a week on the road.
Bruce Highway Photo: Motorists wait to drive down the flooded Bruce Highway after Cyclone Yasi in February 2011. (Jonathan Wood/Getty Images)

"They haven't worked since Friday or Friday night, but they're tired," he said. "How do you identify that?"

National Transport Insurance has now started educating the businesses and fleets it insures about the benefits of regular fitness checks in addition to responsible rostering.

"We can sit in an office and if we are not feeling all that great on a Monday, because we have had a fairly busy weekend, we can still go to work," Mr Driscoll said.

"These guys have got to manage even their time off so when they're back in their truck on Sunday night or the early hours of Monday they're fit and ready to go."

Adequate rest areas

Graeme Ransley is the road safety coordinator for the Road Accident Action Group (RAAG), a community organisation concerned at how dangerous the Bruce Highway is.

They are even putting up their own signs beside the road.

One of the biggest concerns for RAAG is the lack of adequate rest areas.

"There are no heavy vehicle rest areas in possibly 120 kilometres of here and there's only one new one that's been opened between Mackay and Rockhampton," Mr Ransley said.

"So, that's 320 kilometres with only one heavy vehicle rest area and that ... it's recognised in guidelines that there should be a heavy vehicle rest area every 80 kilometres."

Another major concern is that while heavy vehicle accidents are declining in state's with the most traffic - such as NSW - they are increasing in the mining boom state's like Queensland and Western Australia.

"These are the states that are expanding through mining," Owen Driscoll said.
Southbound traffic on the Bruce Highway comes to a standstill Photo: Southbound traffic on the Bruce Highway near Beerburrum Creek, north of Brisbane. (Cameron Kennedy: User submitted - file image)

"So we're getting more traffic going to new locations on the worst part of the network. The other aspect of that too is that heavy vehicle drivers, many of them, haven't been into those particular locations before.

"It's off their normal route. So effectively, as you follow the expansion of the mining industry throughout Queensland and Western Australia, we're finding there's more incidents."

Federal Transport Minister Anthony Albanese said the Bruce Highway had suffered from underinvestment.

"That's why we've put $3.3 billion into the Bruce since we came into office," Mr Albanese said.

"Right today there's three-and-a-half-thousand people at work both direct and indirect on the Bruce Highway, 90 kilometres of duplication are under construction. Right now there are ten major projects up and down the highway."

He also said in the previous budget there was almost $200 million allocated for 50 new overtaking lanes, tackling 122 dangerous black spots and 24 new rest areas. 

[Stillwater]

You should see all manner of equipment for the mines that passes up and down the Bruce Highway constantly, to be repaired in Brisbane.  Someone in govt should get smart and develop a machinery services industral park around Gympie-Maryborough, preferably not in a floodplain.

[ozbob]

Couriermail -->Road safety campaigners stunned as thousands of Queensland drivers admit to flouting road safety rules

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Shock advertisement aims to beat obesity as rise in obese patients swallows up health budget


Sent to all outlets:

14th February 2013

Rob Peter to pay Paul ...

Greetings,

Bizarre isn't it?

Shock advertisement aims to beat obesity as rise in obese patients swallows up health budget

http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/shock-advertisement-aims-to-beat-obesity-as-rise-in-obese-patients-swallows-up-health-budget/story-e6freoof-1226577467567

As I have suggested many times, encouraging people onto public transport has significant health cost benefits. ( http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?action=articles;sa=view;article=3 0 ).  Not only reduction in road trauma costs of fatalities and ongoing high cost of the management of injuries - often life long, but improved health from the active transport involved (ie. just simply walking to and from bus stops, rail stations at origins and destinations.) Not only improves the obesity epidemic but also helping to moderate diabetes and other conditions.

The present fare structure in SEQ encourages the obese to stay in the cars.  What did the Government do at Springfield?  Cancel the bicycle path ... thereby not really saving money but just causing further cost blowouts for health.  http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=9277.msg114317#msg114317

Not rocket science is it?  Any chance of getting some proper transport plans in place, time is fast running out ....

Best wishes
Robert

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

[ozbob]

ABC News --> Six killed in east coast road accidents

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Four killed in deadly seven hours on Queensland roads

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Shocking road toll: Nearly one person dying every day

[ozbob]

http://statements.qld.gov.au/Statement/2013/3/11/shock-ad-to-target-speeding-drivers-over-easter

Media Statements
Minister for Transport and Main Roads
The Honourable Scott Emerson
Monday, March 11, 2013

Shock ad to target speeding drivers over Easter

One of the most confronting driver safety television commercials produced in Queensland will run over the next month in an attempt to tackle a runaway road toll.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Scott Emerson said the 'Better slow down' ad campaign would run for a month in the lead up to and during the Easter school holidays.

"This ad is so graphic it can only be shown during off peak times and after 8.30 at night," Mr Emerson said.

"We're well into March and Queensland's road toll is almost one a day – 16 above last year.

"The road toll is already at a stage where there is no alternative but to confront people with the dangers of speeding in such a shocking way night after night."

The advertisement, which first aired in Queensland in 2008 and again in 2010, will run for double the usual campaign.

Mr Emerson said it targeted young male drivers aged 17-24, who were the most over-represented drivers in fatal speed crashes in Queensland.

"First we targeted seatbelt use in the graphic 'Better buckle up' campaign in an effort to help people help themselves stay safer on the road in the event of a crash," he said.

"The 'Better slow down' campaign will move on to targeting the high risk drivers who are actively putting not only their own, but other people's lives in danger by speeding.

"There is no such thing as safe speeding. Speed contributes to one in every five fatal road crashes in Queensland, making it one of the biggest killers on our roads.

"The consequences of speeding are tragic, real, and long-lasting. This graphic campaign aims to remind reckless drivers of this."

The campaign is funded through the Camera Detected Offence Program. The Government is currently out to tender for a new long-term campaign to target road fatalities.

[ENDS] 11 March 2013

Media contact: Stephanie Shield 0418 186 625

FATAL SPEEDING FACTS

During 1 January to 6 March 2013, there were 62 fatalities as a result of crashes within Queensland, which is 16 fatalities (or 34.8%) greater than the previous year and 13 fatalities (or 27.6%) greater than the previous five year average.*

During January 2013, there were seven fatalities as a result of crashes involving speeding drivers or riders within Queensland, which represents 22.6% of the Queensland road toll (n=31).

In 2012, 59 people died on Queensland roads as a result of crashes involving speeding drivers or riders. This represents 21.1% of Queensland's road toll (280) and was 11 fatalities (22.9%) greater than the previous year (48).
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http://www.ara.net.au/UserFiles/file/Media%20Releases/Rail-welcomes-better-road-safety.pdf

18 March 2013

Rail welcomes better road safety

Tony Abbott's pledge today to improving road safety should be welcomed, but as the rail industry well knows, measures that get trucks off our roads will always be best option for improving road safety.

It is only when the Coalition make a commitment to getting significant volumes of freight off our roads and onto rail, can Tony Abbott's personal pledge to road safety be fully supported by the Australasian Railway Association (ARA).

"The Coalition's road safety pledge contains no measures to get trucks off our roads, overlooking a significant cause of trauma on our highways and in our towns and cities", ARA CEO Bryan Nye said.

Whilst heavy vehicles only make up around four per cent of the vehicles registered in the country, they are involved in over 17 per cent of all fatalities on Australia's roads (1,2).

The ARA advocates improving road safety by slowing the rapid growth in mega-trucks on our highways. This is done by moving more freight onto rail by investing in our existing network, clearing up known freight bottlenecks and investigating locations for future intermodal facilities.

"Simply building more roads to improve road safety is like trying to lose weight by loosening your belt- it's just not going to happen", Mr Nye said.

The ARA also laments the coalition's lack of public transport funding commitments.

"Public transport should not be an 'optional extra' on Tony Abbot's pro-car and pro-truck infrastructure priorities, if we don't invest in it now, our cities will grind to a halt in less than 20 years' time" Mr Nye continued.

"An investment in public transport has advantages in almost every aspect of our lives. Public transport is healthier for us, it boosts productivity, reduces carbon emissions, is safer and above all creates communities we would rather live in", Mr Nye said.

"The Coalition commitments now stand at ten billion dollars for new roads compared to zero dollars for rail. By anyone's measure that's an substantial imbalance", Mr Nye said.

International and Australian research shows that the overall automobile distance driven per capita is starting to level off and even decline, in contrast to a dramatic increase in public transport patronage over the last two decades.

Whilst the current Federal Government has invested more in public transport than all previous governments combined, there is still more funding needed to ensure the future economic, social and environmental viability of our cities and regions.

"Underfunding public transport at this crucial time would set our capital cities back 20 years", Mr Nye concluded.

Sources:
1 Australian Bureau of Statistics- Motor Vehicle Census, Australia, 31 Jan 2012.
2 Department of Infrastructure and Transport- BITRE Road Deaths Australia 2011 Statistical Summary.

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Latest stats in on Automobile's War on Humans! 324,000 pedestrians and cyclists die on global roads every year. http://bit.ly/ZnZFWY

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http://www.scottemerson.com.au/media/media-releases/300-easter-road-safety-campaign-launch.html

Easter Road Safety Campaign Launch

Wednesday, 27 March 2013 12:06

Today Police Minister Jack Dempsey, Transport and Main Roads Minister Scott Emerson and Police Commissioner Ian Stewart launched the annual Easter Road Safety Campaign.

Mr Dempsey said over the coming days police will be out in force across the state ensuring every driver is obeying the road rules and minding the Fatal Five – speeding, drink or drug driving, not wearing a seatbelt, inattention and fatigue.

"This year's road toll has already reached a worrying high of 70 - 15 more deaths on Queensland roads compared to the same time last year," Mr Dempsey said.

"This is unacceptable and I put a challenge out to all drivers in the coming days to make the Easter break fatality free."

Mr Dempsey also announced a new speed camera would come online on the M1 at Gaven, which has a history of speed related crashes.

"The cameras will operate in all lanes heading north along the M1 at Gaven, including the Smith Street onramp merging lane," he said.

"Over time, speed limit compliance at Queensland's fixed speed camera locations has improved, therefore reducing speed-related crash risks."

Mr Emerson encouraged all drivers to slow down and stay safe on our roads, to avoid tragedy this Easter.

"To tackle the climbing toad toll, we launched the 'Better slow down' ad campaign which is one of the most confronting driver safety television commercials," Mr Emerson said.

"The advertisement has been on air since last week and targets young male drivers aged 17-24, who were the most over-represented drivers in fatal speed crashes in Queensland.

"This graphic campaign aims to bring home that clear message that there is no such thing as safe speeding and shows the consequences of speeding are tragic, real, and long-lasting."

The campaign is running for a month in the lead up to and during the Easter school holidays.

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Brisbanetimes --> Easter 2013 brings out worse behaviour from state's motorists