Road Safety Message Hits Home Across Mackay

Community members and local representatives gathered at the Council Chambers last Monday to reinforce the importance of road safety during Queensland Road Safety Week. Photos supplied.

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Road safety took centre stage at the Mackay Regional Council lawns last Monday 17^th August as local leaders, police and community organisations came together to launch Queensland Road Safety Week.

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Held at the Council Chambers on Gordon Street, the event brought together Queensland Road Accident Action Group (RAAG), Treadwell Tyres, Mackay Regional Council, Star FM and other community representatives to promote safer behaviour on the region’s roads.

Mayor Greg Williamson was in attendance and spoke about the importance of road safety in the region, highlighting the need for the community to work together to reduce crashes, injuries and fatalities.

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RAAG Admin and Grant Coordinator Tracey Costello said the volunteer organisation focused on supporting committees and communities through road safety initiatives and education.

“It’s about trying to educate everyone to stay safe on the roads because the fatalities are rising every year, and it all pretty much just comes down to us. It’s up to all of us to reduce it.”

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RAAG also runs campaigns like the Fatal Five, while focusing on all aspects of road safety such as work visibility, roadside safety and wide loads.

Senior Sergeant Shane Edwards, who has worked in traffic policing since the early 2000’s, said road safety affects everyone and highlighted the far-reaching consequences of crashes.

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“Anything we can do to reduce our rag toll is good.”

He said the increasing number of vehicles and drivers on Queensland roads, combined with modern distractions, had created additional challenges.

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“There’s a lot more distractions these days than there used to be such as mobile phones, and a lot of other things that have a bad influence on drivers.”

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Senior Sergeant Edwards also noted that safety on Queensland roads not only applies to vehicles with four or more wheels, but all motorised vehicles and devices, such as e-scooters and e-bikes, urging parents and riders to understand the rules around their use.

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Member for Mackay Nigel Dalton drew on his 42 years of service in the Police force to highlight the devastating impact of fatal crashes on families.

“From my previous 42 years of service, I remember every fatal cash I went to. There was always a horrific investigation that followed, and it’s incredibly sad to deal with the families left behind.”

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Mr Dalton urged motorists to focus on the Fatal Five – consisting of seatbelts, fatigue, speed, alcohol and drugs, and distractions.

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“If we remove those five things away from our behaviours on the road, we'll reduce fatal features dramatically.”

The launch came as police continued high-visibility enforcement across the region.

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During a recent Operation Interpose traffic enforcement operation in Sarina, officers conducted 737 random breath tests, intercepted 18 heavy vehicles and issued 13 traffic infringement notices. Police also issued five notices to appear for alleged drug driving and unlicensed driving.

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The operation included an alleged 137km/h speeding offence in an 80km/h zone on Sarina Beach Road, while police also intercepted an allegedly stolen vehicle on Broad Street.

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The enforcement activity reinforced the message delivered throughout the launch: road safety remained a shared responsibility, with every road user playing a crucial role in reducing road trauma.

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