AUGUST 2021

Improving road safety for all travellers

Caravanners welcome rest area upgrades in the Sunshine State

Photo: Caravanning News

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CARAVANNERS have welcomed news that driver rest areas on major road corridors across south east Queensland are being upgraded.

Assistant Minister for Road Safety and Freight Transport Scott Buchholz said the government had allocated $12.66 million towards the jointly funded Rest Area Upgrade Program.

It is hoped the work will help improve road safety for all travellers, encouraging them to take regular breaks.

Caravanners at a popular rest area north of Gin Gin on the Bruce Highway welcomed the news.

"With the number of grey nomads booming, it is more important than ever to provide decent rest areas," Steve Hopkins, who is on a round-Australia road trip in his Jayco, told Caravanning News.

And Barrie Buchanan said he often utilised rest areas after a tiring day's travel in his LandCruiser hauling a 22ft New Age caravan.

"Not everyone can afford caravan parks these days because site fees are becoming astronomical and well out of reach if on the road for long periods and on a budget," he explained.

Mr Buchholz said the facilities were important for all motorists, particularly those on long road trips and for heavy vehicle drivers.

"As a former transport operator, I appreciate the perspective of drivers in terms of wanting improved facilities and it is great that through our $3 billion Road Safety Program we have partnered with the Queensland Government to deliver improved rest stops in Queensland," he said.

"These upgrades are going to provide better rest stops and increase capacity to encourage road users to stop, revive and survive. We know managing fatigue helps reduce the risk of crashes on our roads."

He was "proud" to be part of a Federal Government that was investing in road safety, with $12.66 million allocated towards $15.825 million in jointly-funded rest area upgrades across Queensland.

"This is yet again another example of the Federal Government delivering on our commitment to reducing the number of Australians missing around the dinner table due to tragedies on our roads and providing greater capacity for all road users to take regular breaks," Mr Buchholz said.

Queensland Assistant Regional Roads Minister Bruce Saunders said driver fatigue was a killer, victims being both long haul truck drivers or everyday families on road trips.

"Over the past five years, fatigue has played a role in crashes on Queensland roads that have claimed 31 lives and seriously injured 462 people," he expained.

"Modern and well-maintained rest areas encourage drivers to stop and take that break so that's why investments like this are so important."

The upgraded area upgrades are part of a statewide road safety mass action project, funded by the Australian and Queensland governments on an 80:20 basis.

The funding supports the fast roll-out of life-saving safety works on rural and regional roads, with the funding offered to states and territories on a 'use it or lose it' basis in six-month periods to ensure rapid delivery.

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