Queensland MPs from across the political spectrum have come together to form the state's first Parliamentary Friends of Road Safety. Supported by Transurban, Government, industry, and the community, the group will share expertise and research, and champion positive road safety outcomes as a priority issue in Queensland.
The group has been formed in response to alarming road fatality and trauma statistics in Queensland, with almost 200 lives already lost on Queensland roads this year. These aren't just numbers - they're families, friends, and futures cut short.
Transurban's Head of Road Safety, Liz Waller, strongly supports the initiative and is confident it will drive real change in road safety.
"Data-driven collaboration is essential to improving road safety outcomes and it's great to see industry and government coming together to share knowledge and find solutions," Ms Waller says.
Transurban has recently partnered with the Department of Transport and Main Roads and MAIC-QUT Road Safety Research Collaboration (a three-year research program focused on advancing Road Transport Psychology and Road Transport Safe Systems) on a new research project, investigating tailgating behaviour on Queensland roads.
The research is timely, with our data revealing that during peak periods, more than 50% of motorists are tailgating less than two seconds behind other vehicles on the Logan and Gateway Motorways and 20% less than one second, whilst travelling at over 90km/hr.
These are alarming statistics, given motorists are encouraged to drive at least two seconds behind the car in front in good conditions, and even more if the roads are wet.
