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D’ Aguilar Highway’s “’shocking” crash history has prompted insurer RACQ to call on the Queensland and federal governments to fund “small but effective” road safety projects to reduce the number of fatalities and serious injuries along the deadly highway.
An RACQ analysis of crash history and data from the Australian Road Assessment Program (AusRAP) revealed that the D’Aguilar Highway claimed 14 lives and put 211 other people in hospital with serious injuries between 2012 and 2016. Findings also showed that long lengths of the highway had received a “disappointing” two-star safety rating, and a medium-high to high crash risk between Caboolture and Kingaroy.
“Our research shows these deadly crashes happen when drivers run off the road, crash head-on, or collide with other vehicles at intersections,” said Rebecca Michael, RACQ head of public policy.
Michael said low-cost and high-impact safety works will help mitigate the road risk.
“Simple measures like clearing roadsides, installing safety barriers, and noisy lines will go a long way to reducing the risk of crashes,” Michael said. “Additionally, if protected turning lanes are installed at intersections, more fatal and serious injuries will be prevented. If the Queensland and federal governments focused their efforts in funding small but effective road safety projects along the D’Aguilar Highway we could save many lives and prevent hundreds of serious injuries over the next 20 years.”
