The Royal Automobile Club of Queensland (RACQ) has highlighted a pressing need for critical safety improvements along Bruce Highway, after the release of alarming statistics related to fatal accidents on the road.
Data from the Queensland government revealed that from 2018 to 2022, there were 129 fatal crashes resulting in 149 deaths on the highway. A considerable majority of these were head-on collisions, predominantly occurring in areas with speed limits of 100km/h to 110km/h.
Dr Michael Kane, head of public policy at RACQ, raised concerns regarding the current conditions of Bruce Highway, labelling it as substandard. He is calling for the Federal Government to revisit its decision to reduce the infrastructure funding share from an 80:20 split with the State Government to a 50:50 split.
“The Bruce Highway is the backbone of our state. It’s a critical national link for tourism and freight and is in desperate need of upgrades and maintenance,” he said. “Head on collisions make up the majority of fatal crashes on the Bruce Highway because more than 1,000 kilometres of the road is still single lane, narrow, unforgiving and lacks physical traffic separation.”
RACQ recently welcomed the Federal Government’s latest adjustments to the proposed New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES).
RACQ is pushing for rapid deployment of safety interventions such as expanded central reservation spaces, additional lanes for passing, and physical barriers to prevent head-on collisions. These measures are expected to significantly decrease the rate of serious injuries and fatalities.
It outlined these funding and safety concerns in its recent Pre-Budget Submission to the Federal Government and will continue to highlight them in the lead-up to this year’s state election.
Separately, a survey by RACQ Bank indicated a significant shift in how young Queenslanders, aged 18 to 34, are seeking financial advice, with many turning to social media platforms like TikTok and Facebook. This method ranks as the second most utilised source of financial information for this age group, equal with established financial websites and blogs.
Melissa McGrath, spokesperson for RACQ Bank, noted that while this trend shows a keen interest in financial matters among young people, it also brings potential risks due to the unregulated nature of advice found on social media.
“While cost of living pressures grow, it was understandable that people turned to social media for money advice in a format that was readily available and easily consumed,” she said. “However, in doing so, people may be more vulnerable to scams, phishing, and risky financial decisions.”
To address these concerns and bolster financial literacy, RACQ Bank will launch a member event during Privacy Awareness Week focused on financial safety and scam awareness. This free event will provide valuable insights on identifying scams and protecting personal information, with multiple sessions available throughout Brisbane for members to attend.
