Across the state, unroadworthy roads are putting people’s lives at risk but now RACQ is giving drivers the chance to nominate the roads in their communities that are in desperate need of an upgrade.
RACQ has launched its biannual Unroadworthy Roads Survey and is asking motorists to join its advocacy efforts and nominate problem stretches of roads that need attention.
RACQ Head of Public Policy Dr Michael Kane said the results would be analysed and provided to road authorities and politicians to help prioritise upgrades.
“Every driver is familiar with frustrating roads they come across on their daily commute or weekend road trip and we need their local knowledge and eyes on the ground to help us with this survey,” Dr Kane said.
“It could be a road that’s full of potholes, has narrow lanes, lacks overtaking lanes, has missing or faded line markings, or floods easily.
“By pinpointing these issues, you can help us bring problem roads to the attention of political parties and candidates contesting the upcoming Queensland and Federal elections.”
In RACQ’s 2022 Unroadworthy Roads Survey, the New England Highway ranked 8th on the top 10 roads. Respondents identified that the New England Highway is in poor condition.
It was nominated as being rough with potholes, an uneven surface, with poor shoulders and a lack of overtaking lanes, especially between Toowoomba and Eight Mile/Warwick.
Although there are no more overtaking lanes, significant work has been undertaken over the past year on sections of the highway at Hodgson Vale and Cambooya/Etonvale, including widening shoulders, improving the surface and the installation of guard rails.
The Bruce Highway received the most nominations with drivers highlighting rough surface, the lack of overtaking opportunities and poor shoulder lanes as the top concerns.
Since then, the Bruce Highway has continued to receive significant investment every year with upgrades between Cooroy and Curra, the Cairns Southern Access Corridor, as well as safety and overtaking lane projects.
Dr Kane said although the funding for these projects is a step in the right direction and will assist with upgrades, the fight to fix them is far from over.
The survey, which only takes a few minutes, will be open until 3 July and can be completed at racq.com.au/badroads
This article appeared in On Our Selection News, 13 June 2024.