The Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Services Jack Dempsey, together with Assistant Commissioner Southern Region Tony Wright today launched the ‘Stay on Track Outback’ road safety project for 2014 at the Caravanning and Camping Show at the Brisbane RNA Showgrounds.
Targeting grey nomads around the nation, ‘Stay on Track Outback’ is an awareness program designed to educate tourists unfamiliar with outback traffic hazards such as gravel roads, wildlife crossings and road trains, as well as the risks associated with driving at night and fatigue from driving long distances.
Police say there has been a surge in accidents on outback roads, the majority caused by the inexperience of grey nomads – whose years of urban driving does not necessarily equip them for long journeys on the nation's outback highways.
“Driving on the highways and roads of Outback Queensland poses hazards and conditions that some people may never have encountered before,” Assistant Commissioner Wright said.
“Special attention needs to be given to driving to the conditions, taking care when towing, watching out for wildlife and livestock and sharing the road safely.
“Rural roads can change in an instant and motorists need to be aware, especially if they have little out back driving experience,” he said.
IUA has supplied the Queensland Police Service with a new 4x4 Isuzu D-MAX crew cab ute, which has been fitted out as a fully-operational police vehicle and will be used at both caravanning events and roadside patrols to promote the program.
“A large proportion of our customers purchase their D-MAX or MU-X specifically for outback touring so we felt an immediate synergy with this program,” said IUA’s Assistant General Manager – Marketing & PR, Dave Harding.
“By promoting this initiative through our dealer network, we can identify customers who may need some additional education or advice regarding outback driving – which ultimately helps make our roads safer for everyone,” he added.