By Dominique Tassell
Queensland Roads have seen a concerning amount of fatalities on its roads in 2021, according to current data.
Queensland Government data shows that fatalities involving heavy freight vehicles are over 40 per cent higher this year than they were at this time last year, and 30 per cent higher than the 2016 to 2020 average at this point in the year.
Queensland Government data shows that there have been 37 heavy freight vehicle related fatalities so far this year on roads in the state.
The Transport Workers Union (TWU) has spoken out numerous times against current conditions for transport workers in Australia.
Recently they have demanded the Federal Government urgently implement the recommendations of a Senate report which called for regulation of transport supply chains.
The Senate report tabled in Parliament on 25 August recommends the Federal Government “establishes an independent body” to “set universal, binding standards” in road transport.
TWU National Secretary Michael Kaine welcomed the recommendations, adding that for an independent body to succeed, it must be genuinely industry-led and dedicated to addressing the economic, social and contracting pressures that make transport Australia’s deadliest industry.
“This comprehensive report is emphatic in its portrayal of the transport industry and the regulatory requirements to fix deep-rooted, deadly pressures in transport supply chains.”
The TWU have previously stated that “trucking is Australia’s deadliest industry, with pressures of underpayments, fatigue, speeding, and overloaded trucks linked to the low-cost contracts demanded by wealthy retailers, manufacturers and oil companies at the top of the supply chain”.
“Since a road safety tribunal was abolished by the Morrison Government in 2016, with nothing put in its place, more than 200 truck drivers and almost 1000 people have been killed in truck crashes.
TWU stated that “the Federal Government justified abolishing the tribunal because of its ‘significant cost to the economy … with any potential safety benefits significantly outweighed by the associated costs’”.
“The tribunal’s annual funding was $4 million.
“Research shows heavy vehicle crashes cost $4.64 billion a year.”
The number of fatalities on Queensland roads this year is also cause for concern, with 181 total fatalities. This is nine per cent higher than this time last year, and 14 per cent higher than the 2016 to 2020 average from this point in the year.
