Drivers flout laws and safety

Five cars ended up coming to grief on the Warrego Highway at Riverview.

Sarah Harvey

POLICE are furious that thousands of drivers have been caught speeding over Easter despite warnings of danger on the roads.

Traffic police patrolling the district's roads and highways are fed up with the “lunacy” and “stupidity” of drivers.

They say people have ignored ongoing road safety campaigns and alerts of extra risks over the holiday long weekend.

Heavy rain yesterday only made matters worse with emergency services called to a spate of crashes.

A woman in her 30s was killed on the Warrego Highway at Haigslea after her sedan collided with a power pole about 1pm.

In a bizarre incident about 3.30pm, a man drove his car though a fence and into the pool at Motel Monaco at North Ipswich.

State traffic support branch Superintendent Col Campbell said more than 12,000 people were caught speeding in Queensland.

“We expected people to adhere to the road rules over Easter after we went to so much trouble to tell people to slow down,” Supt Campbell said.

“I believe drivers think its other people's responsibility. But it's not up to other people, it's up to them; it's everyone's responsibility.

“People think it's not them and they won't get caught.”

He said one of the worst speeding cases in the region was a driver caught doing more than 140kmh in a 100 zone with a baby and two children under five on board.

“When he was asked why he was speeding, he said he was in a hurry to get home. That's the sort of lunacy we have to deal with,” Supt Campbell said.

“With the campaigns we have, people are aware there are extra police over Easter but that doesn't seem to make any difference.

“What is going to make a difference to the way they drive, I don't know.”

Ipswich traffic branch officer in charge Senior Sergeant Troy Hamilton described the situation as “ridiculous”.

“The message is being put out but many motorists have not heeded the warnings,” Snr Sgt Hamilton said. “Hundreds of people in the Ipswich district have been caught speeding.

“There's obviously an element of stupidity out there with people who have a disregard for road rules and other road users. People who have been caught need to be ashamed of themselves.

“Why they continue to risk their lives and the lives of other road users, we can't explain.

“During the rain, people are driving too fast for the conditions - driving near the speed limit even though they can hardly see where they're going.”

Crashes yesterday included:

• 1.30pm: Two vehicles collided on Warrego Highway at Dinmore. Minor injuries.

• 1.30pm: Two cars collided at intersection of Wildey and Edward streets, Flinders View.

• 2.20pm: Car ran into a tree beside Karrabin-Rosewood Road. One person injured.

• 4pm: Car off the Cunningham Highway near Cunningham's Gap.