Assistant Minister for Road Safety and Freight Transport, Scott Buchholz recently visited Far North Queensland and inspected several rest areas between Cairns and Georgetown, jointly funded under the Rest Area Upgrade Program, part of the Morrison Government’s $3 billion Road Safety Program (RSP).
Mr Buchholz said across tranches 1 and 2 of the RSP the Federal Government is investing more than $26 million across Queensland which is delivering upgraded rest areas that are important for all motorists, from families on long road trips to heavy vehicle drivers transporting goods.
“The rest areas I have been visiting, are going to make a substantial difference to addressing driver fatigue, especially on Far North Queensland roads that often feature long, straight stretches.
“These upgraded rest areas are going to provide better facilities to encourage road users to stop, revive and survive,” Mr Buchholz said.
“This is yet again another example of the Morrison Government delivering on our commitment to reducing the number of Australians missing around the dinner table due to tragedies on our roads and providing greater capacity for all road users to take regular breaks.”
Mr Buchholz said the Morrison Government’S $3 billion Road Safety Program was investing in and delivering practical improvements to address road safety.
“As a former transport operator, I appreciate that motorists want improved facilities, I hear it regularly from drivers and industry.
“It is great that through the RSP, we have partnered with the Queensland Government to deliver improved rest stops, including for heavy vehicles in Queensland.
“Driver fatigue is a killer on our roads and for these rest areas to work in addressing fatigue, people have to use them, you have to pull over, get out and stretch your legs. These investments are only as good as the drivers using the,” Mr Buchholz said.
Over the past five years, fatigue has been a significant factor in crashes on Queensland roads and that’s why Federal Government programs such as the RSP are so critical in delivering safer road infrastructure such as rest areas which reduce fatigue related accidents for all road users.
