Safety trial launched on Mt Mee road

A new trial is underway in Mount Mee to improve the safety of motorcyclists, following a 30 per cent increase in lives lost.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said the trial aimed to reduce the number of tragic incidents involving motorcyclists on mountainous roads.

“This year is likely to be the worst on the roads in over a decade, with 242 deaths recorded already (at November 4, 2021),” Mr Bailey said.

“Of this, 60 were motorcyclists which is a significant rise compared to the previous year.

“We want every Queenslander to get home safely, and that’s why this two-part trial will help us understand how line marking can help guide motorcyclists on mountain environments.”

New line marking

Mr Bailey said roadside cameras played a big role in recording how motorcyclists naturally manoeuvred around the bends.

“Cameras have been set up at selected curves along Mount Mee Rd where new line marking has been installed to monitor how it changes a motorcyclist’s position in traffic lanes,” he said.

“Austroads has been a major partner in getting this trial off the ground and findings will be provided to Austroads, the association of Australian and New Zealand road transport and traffic authorities.”

The line marking trial is being delivered by the Centre for Automotive Safety Research and is expected to be completed by mid-2022.

Ridecraft launch

Mr Bailey said the trial coincided with the recent RideCraft campaign that focused on motorbike riders.

“In September, the RideCraft campaign was launched to encourage riders to tune up their craft to reduce their chances of being involved in a crash,” he said.

“Something as simple as wearing the right protection, regularly maintaining your bike and reducing speed can save your life.

“This needless loss of life has got to stop so I ask everyone to jump online and take a look.”

For information on the RideCraft campaign, check out streetsmarts.initiatives.qld.gov.au/motorcycles/ride-craft