By Paul Donoughue and James O’Loan
MORE people have been killed on Queensland roads this holiday season than anywhere else in the country, except Victoria.
With roads across the state soaked and flood damaged, police are urging drivers to take extra care as the death of a woman on the Warrego Highway at Haigslea yesterday brought the state holiday toll to nine. Nationally, the road toll last night stood at 31.
Police said the woman died after two vehicles collided near the intersection of Malabar Rd about 2.15pm. A man and woman were taken to Princess Alexandra Hospital, one with serious chest and abdominal injuries, while another man was taken to Ipswich Hospital in a stable condition.
Victoria has seen the worst loss of life, with 11 deaths on its roads since the holiday toll period began on December 17.
New South Wales has had six road fatalities, followed by Western Australia with two.
Meanwhile, Queensland police have been disappointed with drink-driving and speeding levels as the 2010 Christmas Road Safety Campaign continues.
In the first three days, police conducted 18,029 random breath tests, detecting 189 drink-drivers.
Police also issued 1082 speeding fines, while 97 people were caught not wearing a seatbelt.
Police are also warning that drivers who recklessly try to cross flooded roads will be charged.
A 28-year-old cab driver from Tanah Merah, south of Brisbane, faces court after allegedly wasting police resources early yesterday.
He told police he was stuck on the roof of his car in rising floodwaters and needed to be rescued but police said rescuers were able to safely walk through the water and help the man back to dry land.
“If people flagrantly go around signage . . . we will take action against them,” Police Deputy Commissioner Ian Stewart said yesterday.
Treacherous conditions in the Sunshine Coast hinterland yesterday almost cost two teenagers their lives near Murgon.
The pair were swept off Stewart Bridge, Proston, and swept 100m downstream where they clung to trees for two harrowing hours before a State Emergency Service boat crew retrieved them about noon.
Despite the bad holiday figures, Queensland is still on track to measure its lowest annual road toll on record.
The toll stands at 247 – 81 fewer than the same time last year and four off the 1952 record of 251.
Source: www.couriermail.com.au
