RACQ Clubhouse: Email roadahead@racq.com.au. Mail The Road Ahead, P.O. Box 4, Springwood, QLD, 4127. Please include name and address. Letters will not receive an individual reply and should be no more than 120 words.
Memories of trip to 'The Tip'
I was fascinated by Mark Daffey’s description of his trip to the tip of Cape York (Summer TRA). My friend and I made the same trip in November 1958 in a long-wheelbase Land Rover. The only ‘road’ was the maintenance trail along the overland telegraph track, and I believe we were only the second vehicle to make it that year. To cross the Jardine River, we had to lay down strips of metal mesh on its sandy bottom, drive forward 20-30m, go back, pick up the mesh, re-lay it in front and drive forward. As Mark said: “The effort of getting to the northern tip of Australia is an adventure that comes with a sense of accomplishment.” Thank you, Mark.
PETER RICHARDSON, CHAPEL HILL
Too many slow drivers
I have now lived in Queensland for three years after moving from New South Wales. I have noticed during that time that there is no signage on highways to remind motorists that they are required to stay in the left lane unless overtaking. I’m aware that this is the law in both Queensland and NSW. NSW has signage on all freeways/highways reminding motorists of this law. I’m constantly frustrated when driving from Brisbane to the Gold Coast or Sunshine Coast by cars in all four lanes sitting 5–10km/h below the speed limit. This is such an inefficient use of four lanes.
GRAHAM HEMMINGS, NEWSTEAD
Our say:
In Queensland, if the posted speed limit is 90km/h or more on a multi-lane road, or if the road has a ‘keep left unless overtaking’ sign, you must not drive in the right-hand lane unless you are overtaking, turning right, making a U-turn, avoiding an obstruction, driving in congested traffic or using a special purpose lane that you are allowed to be in.
Older drivers 'well-taught'
I couldn’t agree more with John Stille’s opinions (Summer TRA). We older drivers, who have so many years of driving experience, seem more conscious and respectful of road rules and road users than any generation after us. Maybe it’s a generational thing, but when we were going for our licences back in the ’60s and ’70s, we were not only well-taught regarding the handling of the vehicle, but we were also instructed to consider others. I often wonder how stringent the driving lessons and tests are today. Is it too easy to acquire a driver licence?
Are learner drivers taught how to navigate roundabouts, how to merge into traffic, understand signs, and to use indicators? It also amazes me when an incident is described as ‘the vehicle failed to take a turn.’ The vehicle is not to blame for failing to take a turn; the driver behind the wheel is. My reason for writing is because of the sad and sobering statistics which state that a huge percentage of road deaths are innocent people.
JULIE BERRY, MURGON
Signage shambles
Shame on you Queensland. My husband and I love to travel in our caravan and we’ve been to every state and territory many times – from the top to the farthest point south, and from the west to east coasts over many years. Queensland would be the worst state for signage. Many rural roadside signs are either worn out or the print is peeling off. You cannot read the names of upcoming towns, signs are blocked by overgrown foliage, many are vandalised and beaten up with sharp objects, some have been used for target practice, and some are hanging upside down after the top fastener has broken. I feel great shame that international and interstate travellers see this also; I find it embarrassing. Why are these signs so neglected?
JENNIFER MCGOWAN, MURRUMBA DOWNS
Dingoes not the problem
I was flabbergasted when I read a comment in The Road Ahead Summer edition by a gentleman suggesting all dingoes be removed from K'gari (Fraser Island). Up until recently, we holidayed at Poyungan Rocks for 12 years running and never had an issue with a dingo. Yes, we saw them, and some would hang around the boys when fishing, but never did we feed them, interact with them in any way or make eye contact with them. Also, as much as we loved it there, we did not bring our grandchildren to the island. The reason being our area was not dingo fenced, and a relaxing holiday is not keeping a constant eye on them and at arm’s reach. Not everywhere is suitable for children. We always carried a dingo stick when walking but never had to use it. Tourism is taking its toll on the island. For example, our photos of Ely Creek show the destruction of the foliage along the banks over that time from tourists doing the wrong thing. The dingoes should stay and the tourists should think twice to see if this holiday destination is really the right one for them.
LORRAINE SMIT, NORTH ARM
Island fencing suggestion
I was appalled to read ‘Call to remove dingoes’ (Summer TRA). Although the writer’s point “while the balance could go to a new dingo centre to be established on the island’’ is worthy of note. However, K’Gari is the dingoes’ native habitat and should remain as such with the local Butchulla people as the Traditional Custodians. As pointed out by the writer and my expansion, surely for the dingoes’ and tourists’ safety, it would be wise to restrict a large area solely for the dingoes to roam naturally in a secure, fenced-off part of the island. Authorised Indigenous rangers would be the only people to enter this area to monitor them and take tourists on safe organised tours. Unfortunately, the rise in dingo attacks has been triggered by inconsiderate, selfish and ignorant visitors’ behaviour who feed them, leave fish burly behind and get up-close selfies. We must protect this unique, pure genus pool of dingoes for the future, or they will suffer the fate of far too many Australian fauna species who, since white settlement, have been lost forever. Australia has a poor record of biodiversity decline with more than a hundred species formally recognised as extinct. Surely we don’t want to add to this appalling record.
GALE WARD, WARWICK
Wet weather issue
We recently completed a small road trip along the east coast through New South Wales and South East Queensland, an area we know like the back of our hand but hadn't travelled for three years. Between the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast we struck atrociously bad weather. Travelling 10km below the speed limit, as recommended in the wet, we found there were two types of drivers. Many stayed in our rear-view mirror driving to the conditions. However, travelling in the middle lane for several 110km/h limits, we had P-platers, monster utes and trucks flying past on both sides well over the limit. The problem? Their spray completely blinded us so that all we could watch were the dotted lines of the lanes. What will it take for drivers to learn that it is not the roads but their attitude that needs fixing?
CHRIS DARCEY, SUBURB
Speeding e-scooters
Driving on a main road on the Sunshine Coast with the flow of traffic at 50km/h, I was startled when two children on electric scooters went past me. Is there an age requirement for riding electric scooters and bikes? If not, there should be. And if these vehicles are going to be on the road, and they are, riders should require a licence. Many of these riders are a danger to themselves and others. There have already been scores of injuries, and unless authorities step in, there will be many more injuries and even deaths.
STAN HUNT, TEWANTIN
Our say:
In Queensland you must be either at least 16 years or at least 12 years and supervised by an adult to ride an e-scooter. Children under 12 years of age must not ride e-scooters. Visit qld.gov.au/transport/safety/rules/wheeled-devices/personal-mobility-devices for more rules on personal mobility devices.
Member's link to ex-employee
I note this year is the 120th anniversary of RACQ operations and thought my photo of a group of service providers might be of interest. My uncle, Harry Hall, is standing second from the left in the back row. I am not certain about the date but guess it might have been around 1935. There may be members that know who the other gentlemen in the photo are. I don’t have the original photo, only a paper copy that was given to me by an aunt years ago. I am 91 years old, so would be proud to see this published in The Road Ahead.
VINCE CHALLENOR, HERVEY BAY
School zones catch unwary
Until I saw your diagrams (Summer TRA) I had no idea there were four different signs regarding speeds in school zones. I have at times struggled with only one I knew (40kmh from 7-9am, 2-4pm). It is all right if you are in suburbs that you know and are aware that you are approaching a school, but driving in unfamiliar territory poses a much greater risk of of unwittingly committing an offence. The 7am-4pm sign is an absolute trap for the unwary and I do wonder if there is an element of revenue raising involved with this confusing and inconsistent signage. The nearest to fairness is the sign with the warning light, so why cannot all the signs have a warning light?
DELROY OBERG, BOONDALL
Our say:
It is worth noting that the standardised school zone speed limit times of 7am-9am and 2pm-4pm, and 7am-4pm were introduced in Queensland in 2012. Some regional councils have slightly different school zone times.
Cars too close in front
We are all familiar with overtaking vehicles pulling in much too close in front of us. While this appears thoughtless or rude and is the cause of many a muttered curse, it more often results from the illusion of objects inside mirrors appearing to be farther away (smaller) than they are. Vehicle manufacturers routinely install convex side mirrors to widen the field of view and decrease the blind spot. If drivers were alerted to this effect and got farther ahead before they pulled in, we might all be happier and our roads safer. A quick head check will also reveal the true distance.
JOHN ELLIOTT, NUNDAH
Pedestrian crossing danger
A pedestrian crossing is the safest way to cross the road if you have the attention of the motorist who is approaching. However, when a pedestrian, with their heads buried in the screen of a phone, or bicycle or scooter rider going flat out on a footpath, suddenly make a right or left turn to come onto the crossing at speed, the motorist must brake hard to avoid putting these people in hospital. I thought the rules for using a pedestrian crossing meant riders had to dismount from their bike or scooter before crossing? This gives the driver time to stop and allows for the person to proceed across the road safely.
W. MITCHELL, SANDSTONE POINT
Our say:
Queensland road rules require bicycle and scooter riders to come to a complete stop before riding across a zebra crossing, but they do not have to dismount. Once they have stopped, they can proceed slowly, giving way to other pedestrians on the crossing and keeping to the left of any oncoming riders.
