Today's comments by LNP opposition leader Deb Frecklington to retreat on road safety and scrap covert speed cameras are callous and reckless.
Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said across the country, communities, motoring bodies and political leaders regardless of their partisan colour are united in road safety – except for the Queensland LNP.
"By deliberately ignoring road safety research and evidence, the opposition leader wants to go backwards on road safety," Mr Bailey said.
"Last year, one in every five deaths on our roads was caused by speed. Countless more Queenslanders were, some permanently.
"Speed cameras are there to reduce speeding, crashes and deaths.
When cameras were introduced in the 90s, the number of fatalities on our roads was 11.16 per 100,000 Queenslanders.
In 2018, that number has more than halved to 4.89 – the lowest in 50 years.
Independent research from the Monash University Accident Research Centre shows that speed cameras prevented 2,500 crashes last year.
"As road safety Minister, I've seen what can happen in a crash when speed is the main factor.
"I've listened to the victims' families and friends, the first responders, witnessed the long-term trauma of losing a loved one and read all too many fatality crash summaries.
"Any responsible government or party commits to making Queensland roads safer, and the Palaszczuk Government makes no apologies for that.
Mr Bailey said Palaszczuk Government is investing more than $900 million in dedicated road safety projects.
"We're re-investing every dollar from camera-detected offences into improving road safety – that is the law.
"While the number of deaths on Queensland roads so far this year is the lowest in five years, north Queensland and the Sunshine Coast continue to be overrepresented.
"When I speak with police and read the reports, the message is clear: the fatal five continues to be the cause of deaths, crashes and road trauma on our roads.
"Speed, distracted driving, fatigue, drink and drug driving and not wearing a seatbelt are the causes of 80 per cent of crashes.
Mr Bailey urged LNP MPs to stand up for road safety and against this callous and reckless policy of the opposition leader.
"Saving lives via road safety should be beyond politics."
