New data from RACQ has exposed the Bruce Highway’s alarming safety record, with Fatal and Serious Injury (FSI) crash rates three to five times higher than comparable major highways in NSW and Victoria.
The findings have prompted a coalition of leading Queensland organisations to demand urgent action.
According to RACQ, around 1,398 kilometres of the Bruce Highway, which passes through the Gympie Arterial Road (M3) in Carseldine and M1 in Bald Hills remains single-lane and undivided.
This leads to an average ‘per kilometre travelled’ FSI crash rate three times higher than rural sections of the Pacific Highway and five times higher than rural sections of the Hume Highway.
RACQ Managing Director and CEO David Carter emphasised the highway’s substandard condition compared to interstate counterparts.
“The Bruce Highway is the backbone of this State, it’s supposed to be a national highway but when you compare it to the Pacific or Hume, it’s substandard,” Mr Carter said.
“Those interstate highways have rightfully been upgraded to three, four and five stars out of five for infrastructure safety, yet around half of the Bruce is still a poor two-star rating. In 2024, there is no way Queensland should have any two-star sections on the Bruce Highway.
The coalition is advocating for comprehensive upgrades, including widening, more overtaking lanes, and progressive duplication to dual carriageway standards. They believe there’s a need for a 10-year funding commitment from the State and Federal Governments to continue upgrading the Bruce Highway.
Alison Smith, CEO of Local Government Association of Queensland, highlighted the emotional and economic toll of crashes on local communities, stressing the critical need for improved road safety across Queensland.
“As the level of government closest to their communities, councils see the huge emotional toll that crash deaths and injuries create, even before you come to the economic cost,” Ms Smith said.
“Ensuring more funding flows to improve road safety across our decentralised state is critical to Queensland councils because it is critical to improving the liveability of their local communities.
“This includes crucial funding to improve local and state roads and support jobs throughout regional, rural and remote Queensland under key programs like the Transport Infrastructure Development Scheme (TIDs), as well as major transportation links like the Bruce Highway, which serves as a vitally important economic and social artery for so many local communities.”
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The “Fix the Bruce” campaign continues to gain traction, underlining the urgent need for significant infrastructure improvements to Queensland’s vital transport artery.
Published 13-August-2024