RACQ says Saving lives top priority

http://www.dailymercury.com.au/story/2012/05/14/saving-lives-top-priority-mackay/?utm_source=rss+dailyexaminer&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS+distribution

ROAD death is preventable.

That's the message from the state's peak motoring organisation, the RACQ, ahead of an international road safety workshop into improving the Peak Downs Hwy.

This Friday, 100 community members, road safety experts and industry and government leaders from across Australia will meet in Mackay to develop an action plan for the highway.

In the past five years, 14 people have been killed and 71 injured while driving the Peak Downs, making it one of the most dangerous highways in the world.

RACQ executive manager technical and safety policy, Steve Spalding, said the rate of deaths and injuries on the highway was unacceptable.

"Immediate action must be taken to reduce this... particularly when traffic on the Peak Downs is expected to double in the next five to 10 years due to mining development in the Bowen and Galilee basins," Mr Spalding said.

"One of the key safety issues involves the mine workers who, fatigued after long shifts at the mines, embark on the lengthy journey back to their home base for their days off.

"Driving fatigued on a dangerous road is a lethal mix."

Mr Spalding said he was confident solutions to fixing the Peak Downs Hwy would be found at Friday's conference.

"This workshop brings together the key players who can influence the future development of the Peak Downs Hwy," he said.